AS DEPICTED IN THE PHOTOGRAPH, YOU SEE
2.3 Neural Plasticity and the Aging Brain What can animal models tell us about neural
•
plasticity in the aging brain?
Does aerobic fi tness improve cognition as we grow
•
older?
2.4 Neuroscience and Socio-Emotional Aging
How does the brain operate diff erently for
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cognitive versus socio-emotional processing?
What are the brain structures underlying the
•
enhancement of emotional information in memory?
What is the positivity eff ect? What is the
•
neuroscience evidence for this phenomenon?
Integrating Concepts in Development
Which of the theories of bilateral activation in older
•
adults’ brains makes the most sense to you? Why?
What would you say about the stereotypes of
•
aging now that you understand the plasticity of brain functioning?
What does the work on brain plasticity imply for
•
exercising the mind and body?
How does the research on neuroscience and
•
cognition compare to the behavioral research on cognition and aging in Chapter 6?
How does the research on neuroscience and
•
socio-emotional functioning compare to the behavioral research discussed in Chapter 8?
Key Terms
activation imaging approach Attempts to directly link functional brain activity with cognitive behavioral data.
Alzheimer’s disease A disease commonly found in the elderly that is characterized by a decline in memory and a progressive destruction of brain cells.
amygdala Th e region of the brain, located in the medial- temporal lobe, believed to play a key role in emotion.
anterior cingulate Located in the front part of the cingulated cortex, this region of the brain plays a role in autonomic functions, cognitive functions, and emotion.
basal ganglia A group of nuclei interconnected with the cerebral cortex. Th ey are associated with motor control, cognition, and emotions.
bilateral activation Involves activation of a specifi c brain structure in both lateral hemispheres of the brain.
cerebellum Th e part of the brain that is associated with motor functioning and balance equilibrium.
compensatory Involves the use of a behavior or function to aid in performance that has been otherwise compromised.
controlled self-generated encoding When individuals elaborate on information by relating it to themselves and rehearse the information in this way.
correlational approach Attempts to link measures of cognitive performance to measures of brain structure or functioning.
default network Th e regions of the brain that are most active at rest.
diffusion tensor imaging Th e measurement of the diff usion of water molecules in tissue in order to study connections of neural pathways in the brain.
dopaminergic system Involves dopamine
neurotransmission. Dopamaine is a neurotransmitter and is critically implicated in multiple cognitive functions.
environmental enrichment In animal studies, involves raising animals in large groups fi lled with changing arrangements of toys/objects.
executive functions Include the ability to make and carry out plans, switch between tasks, and maintain attention and focus.
functional imaging (e.g., fMRI) Examines how changes in brain activity occur in correspondence to changes in task demands and the type of cognitive functioning under investigation.
hippocampus Located in the medial-temporal lobe, this part of the brain plays a major role in memory and learning.
lateral occipital complex A highly specialized neural site involved in processing the face, place, and object areas.
method of loci A memory technique for remembering things by linking them to places.
neostriatum Receives input from the cerebral cortex and other brain areas and provides output to the basal nuclei.
neural stem cells Th ose that give life to new neurons throughout the life span.
neuropsychological approach Compares brain functioning of healthy older adults with adults displaying various pathological disorders in the brain.
over-recruitment Occurs when additional neurons fi re and shore up declining brain structures that are ineffi cient.
Parkinson’s disease A brain disease caused by an extreme drop in the neurotransmitter dopamine.
plasticity Involves the interaction between the brain and the environment and is mostly used to describe the eff ects of experience on the structure and functions of the neural system.
positivity effect When an individual remembers more positive information relative to negative information.
prefrontal cortex (PFC) Part of the frontal lobe that is involved in executive functioning.
selective allocation of attention When something in the environment captures one’s attention and the individual allocates more resources in the attention to that item.
supplementary processes When diff erent brain regions are activated to compensate for lacking processing resources.
under-recruitment Occurs when neuronal fi ring is limited when the brain is activated.
ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) Part of the prefrontal cortex, this may be involved in decision making and processing risk.
white matter hyperintensities (WMH) Abnormalities in the brain oft en found in older adults; correlated with cognitive decline.
working memory performance Holding and manipulating information in consciousness.
Resources
www.cengage.com/psychology/cavanaugh
Visit the companion website, where you will fi nd tutorial quizzes, glossary, fl ashcards, and more. You can also access the following websites from the companion website.
Th e National Institute on Aging (NIA) publishes informative brochures on neuroimaging and brain plasticity as well as a focus on social neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience and aging. Th ese are all based on scientifi c fi ndings.
Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago is a leading resource for information on events, resources, and brain and behavior research. Th eir website provides a wide variety of information and resources and summaries of legislative and advocacy activities.
Th e Society for Neuroscience is another good source of the latest research on neuroscience and aging and brain facts.
Readings
Baltes, P. B., Reuter-Lorenz, P., and Rosler, F. (2006).
Lifespan Development and the Brain: Th e Perspective of Biocultural Co-Constructivism. New York: Cambridge University Press. A comprehensive collection of chapters on plasticity of numerous areas of the brain.
Moderate to diffi cult reading.
Cabeza, R., Nyberg, L., and Park, D. (2005). Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging: Linking Cognitive and Cerebral Aging. U.S.: Oxford University Press. A compilation of chapters on cognitive neuroscience and aging. Moderate reading.
3.1 W H Y D O W E A G E ? B I O L O G I C A L T H E O R I E S O F A G I N G
Discovering Development: Why Do Most People Think We Age?
• Rate-of-Living Theories • Cellular Theories • Programmed-Cell-Death Theories • Implications of the Developmental Forces
3.2 A P P E A R A N C E A N D M O B I L I T Y
Changes in Skin, Hair, and Voice • Changes in Body Build • Changes in Mobility
• Psychological Implications
3.3 S E N S O R Y S Y S T E M S
Vision • Hearing • Somesthesia and Balance • How Do We Know? Preventing Falls through Tai Chi • Taste and Smell
3.4 V I T A L F U N C T I O N S
Cardiovascular System • Respiratory System
3.5 T H E R E P R O D U C T I V E S Y S T E M
Female Reproductive System • Current Controversies: Hormone Replacement Therapy • Male Reproductive System • Psychological Implications
3.6 T H E N E R V O U S S Y S T E M
Studying Brain–Behavior Relations: Imaging Techniques • Central Nervous System • Autonomic Nervous System • Psychological Implications
S O C I A L P O L I C Y I M P L I C A T I O N S
Summary • Review Questions • Integrating Concepts in Development
• Key Terms • Resources