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Neurotransmitters are reduced
Reaction time, talking, thinking, walking slows
Varies markedly by individuals
o Hypothalamus (memory) & Prefrontal cortex (processing, planning,
coordinating thoughts)
• Shrink faster than other areas
o Varies based on
• Education
• Good health
• Mental exercise
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Using both hemispheres of the brain becomes more likely
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Working memory
o Temporary storage of information for conscious use
o Reduced
o Takes longer to perceive & process sensations
o Inhibits multitasking
o If older people can take their time and concentrate, working
memory seems as good as ever
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Long-term memory
o Emotional memories – endure
• E.g. “I was so happy!”
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Memory, retrieval strategies, selective attention & problem
solving (logical analysis)
o Become less effective
o Priming of memories helps
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Recognition
o At every age, recognition memory is better than recall
• Multiple choice vs. essay
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Priming
o Presenting memory triggers (word, smell, song, etc.)
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Normal decline in verbal meaning, spatial orientation,
inductive reasoning , numerical ability & word fluency
Influenced by Health
o Better predictor of cognition than age
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Influenced by training in cognitive skills
o Training can improve any cognitive decline
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Organic brain damage or disease
o Abnormal and pathological loss of brain functioning
o Chronic, long lasting
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Causes deterioration of memory and personality
Absentmindedness about recent events is the first stage
Most common cause of dementia
o Caused by plaques and tangles of proteins in the brain
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Many genes may be involved
Stages: From confusion to death
o Beginning
• Forgetful, personality changes
• Memory loss – eventually becomes dangerous
• Forgetting about a lighted stove (3rd. Stage of Alzheimer)
o Final stage
• Full-time care needed
• Identity and personality are lost
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Caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain
Repeated infarcts (Obstructions of blood vessels in the
brain)
Causes strokes
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Frontal lobe dementia
o Personality changes
o Deterioration of frontal lobes & amygdala
o Pick disease is the most common form
• People are disinhibited, impulsive, emotionally indifferent
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Parkinson disease
o Does not always lead to dementia
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Lewy body dementia
o Caused by deposits of protein (Lewy bodies) in the neuron
o Motor movements and cognition effected
o Main symptom is loss of inhibition
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Regular exercise
Avoid pathogens causing dementia
Mad cow disease
o AIDS
o Syphilis
o
• Syphilitic insanity
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Depression = Most common reversible cause of dementia
related symptoms
Lack of nutrients (Malnourished)
o As bodies age they become less efficient at digesting food and
using its nutrients
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Poly-pharmacy
o Drug side effects, interactions, and overmedication all can cause
dementia symptoms
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Alcohol use
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Erikson
o Integrity vs. despair
• Older people gain interest in the arts, children
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Maslow
o Self-actualization
• Creative, philosophical & spiritual understanding
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Life review
o Examination of your life
o Putting your life into perspective
o Sharing your life with recorded, written and verbal stories