Book contents
- The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging
- The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Introduction
- Part I Models of Cognitive Aging
- 1 Overview of Models of Cognitive Aging
- 2 Cognitive Reserve
- 3 How Age-Related Changes in the Brain Affect Cognition
- 4 Neuroadaptive Trajectories of Healthy Mindspan: From Genes to Neural Networks
- 5 Cognitive Aging: The Role of Neurotransmitter Systems
- 6 How Arousal-Related Neurotransmitter Systems Compensate for Age-Related Decline
- Part I Summary: Models of Cognitive Aging
- Part II Mechanisms of Cognitive Aging
- Part III Aging in a Socioemotional Context
- Part IV Cognitive, Social, and Biological Factors across the Lifespan
- Part V Later Life and Interventions
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
- References
6 - How Arousal-Related Neurotransmitter Systems Compensate for Age-Related Decline
from Part I - Models of Cognitive Aging
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 May 2020
- The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging
- The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Introduction
- Part I Models of Cognitive Aging
- 1 Overview of Models of Cognitive Aging
- 2 Cognitive Reserve
- 3 How Age-Related Changes in the Brain Affect Cognition
- 4 Neuroadaptive Trajectories of Healthy Mindspan: From Genes to Neural Networks
- 5 Cognitive Aging: The Role of Neurotransmitter Systems
- 6 How Arousal-Related Neurotransmitter Systems Compensate for Age-Related Decline
- Part I Summary: Models of Cognitive Aging
- Part II Mechanisms of Cognitive Aging
- Part III Aging in a Socioemotional Context
- Part IV Cognitive, Social, and Biological Factors across the Lifespan
- Part V Later Life and Interventions
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
- References
Summary
Without brain systems that modulate arousal, we would not be able to have daily sleep-wake cycles, focus attention when needed, experience emotional responses, or even maintain consciousness. Thus, it is not surprising that there are multiple overlapping neurotransmitter systems that control arousal. In aging, most of these systems show decline in basic features such as number of receptors and transporters, and sometimes even in neuron count. These declines have the potential to disrupt basic arousal functions. Compensatory increases in activity in some of these systems allow for maintained levels of circulating neurotransmitters in those systems – but at the cost of reduced dynamic range in arousal responses.
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- The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive AgingA Life Course Perspective, pp. 101 - 120Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020
References
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