Neural Basis of Cognitive Aging

The frontal lobe is responsible for executive functions such as planning, decision-making, and working memory, which are often impaired in older adults.

Neurodegeneration, or the loss of neurons and synapses, is the primary cause of age-related cognitive decline.

The cholinergic system, which uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter, is most affected by age-related cognitive decline.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences, including the challenges of aging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most commonly used brain imaging technique to study the neural basis of cognitive aging due to its high resolution and ability to provide detailed images of brain structure and function.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the term used to describe the age-related decline in cognitive function that is greater than expected for a person's age but does not meet the criteria for dementia.

The temporal lobe, particularly the hippocampus, is most affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid plaques, composed of amyloid-beta protein, are the primary neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

The APOE-e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene is the most strongly associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) refer to more complex tasks such as managing finances, cooking, and using transportation, which are often impaired in older adults.

Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.

Lewy bodies, composed of alpha-synuclein protein, are the primary neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease.

Mutations in the SNCA gene, which encodes alpha-synuclein, are the most strongly associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Sustained attention, the ability to maintain focus on a task over time, is often impaired in older adults.

Huntington's disease primarily affects the basal ganglia, particularly the caudate nucleus and putamen.