How the brain changes as people age
THE brain controls many aspects of thinking — remembering, planning and organising, making decisions, and much more. These cognitive abilities affect how well we do everyday tasks and whether we can live independently.
Some changes in thinking are common as people get older. For example, older adults may:
* Be slower to find words and recall names.
* Have problems with multitasking.
* Experience mild decreases in the ability to pay attention.
Despite the changes in cognition that may come with age, older adults can still do many of the things they have enjoyed their whole lives. Research shows that older adults can still:
* Learn new skills.
* Form new memories.
* Improve vocabulary and language skills.
As a person gets older, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain.
Certain parts of the brain shrink, including those important to learning and other complex mental activities.
In certain brain regions, communication between neurons may be less effective.
Blood flow in the brain may decrease.
Inflammation, which occurs when the body responds to an injury or disease, may increase.
These changes in the brain can affect mental function, even in healthy older people. For example, some older adults may find that they don’t do as well as younger individuals on complex memory or learning tests. However, if given enough time to learn a new task, they usually perform just as well. Needing that extra time is normal as people age. There is growing evidence that the brain maintains the ability to change and adapt so that people can manage new challenges and tasks as they age.
Some people in their 80s, 90s, and beyond defy the common assumption that cognitive decline goes hand in hand with ageing. These people, called cognitive super agers, have memory performance comparable to people 20 to 30 years younger.
Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about changes in your thinking and memory. They can help you determine whether those changes are normal or whether it could be something else.
Source: US National Institute on Aging
