Book contents
- Cognitive Changes and the Aging Brain
- Cognitive Changes and the Aging Brain
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Anatomic and Histological Changes of the Aging Brain
- Chapter 3 Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms for Age-Related Cognitive Decline
- Chapter 4 Neuroimaging of the Aging Brain
- Chapter 5 Changes in Visuospatial, Visuoperceptual, and Navigational Ability in Aging
- Chapter 6 Chemosensory Function during Neurologically Healthy Aging
- Chapter 7 Memory Changes in the Aging Brain
- Chapter 8 Aging-Related Alterations in Language
- Chapter 9 Changes in Emotions and Mood with Aging
- Chapter 10 Aging and Attention
- Chapter 11 Changes in Motor Programming with Aging
- Chapter 12 Alterations in Executive Functions with Aging
- Chapter 13 Brain Aging and Creativity
- Chapter 14 Attractor Network Dynamics, Transmitters, and Memory and Cognitive Changes in Aging
- Chapter 15 Mechanisms of Aging-Related Cognitive Decline
- Chapter 16 The Influence of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Aging
- Chapter 17 Pharmacological Cosmetic Neurology
- Chapter 18 Cognitive Rehabilitation in Healthy Aging
- Chapter 19 Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia
- Index
- References
Chapter 12 - Alterations in Executive Functions with Aging
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 November 2019
- Cognitive Changes and the Aging Brain
- Cognitive Changes and the Aging Brain
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Anatomic and Histological Changes of the Aging Brain
- Chapter 3 Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms for Age-Related Cognitive Decline
- Chapter 4 Neuroimaging of the Aging Brain
- Chapter 5 Changes in Visuospatial, Visuoperceptual, and Navigational Ability in Aging
- Chapter 6 Chemosensory Function during Neurologically Healthy Aging
- Chapter 7 Memory Changes in the Aging Brain
- Chapter 8 Aging-Related Alterations in Language
- Chapter 9 Changes in Emotions and Mood with Aging
- Chapter 10 Aging and Attention
- Chapter 11 Changes in Motor Programming with Aging
- Chapter 12 Alterations in Executive Functions with Aging
- Chapter 13 Brain Aging and Creativity
- Chapter 14 Attractor Network Dynamics, Transmitters, and Memory and Cognitive Changes in Aging
- Chapter 15 Mechanisms of Aging-Related Cognitive Decline
- Chapter 16 The Influence of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Aging
- Chapter 17 Pharmacological Cosmetic Neurology
- Chapter 18 Cognitive Rehabilitation in Healthy Aging
- Chapter 19 Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia
- Index
- References
Summary
It is frequently reported that processing speed slows and executive functions (EFs) become less effective in the course of healthy aging. This chapter highlights research supporting these claims in three areas of investigation: cognitive aging research, the neuropsychological perspective, and studies evaluating the association of EF with structural and functional imaging measures. Several themes emerge in this review. For example, diminished processing speed with aging appears to reflect aging-related changes in the anterior cingulate/superior medial frontal cortex, as well as perceptuomotor slowing. The definition of EF varies between different publications and there is a need for more precise operational definitions. There is also a need to decompose EFs into their component processes. Impairments of EF are strongly related to damage in prefrontal regions, but disorders of EF also occur with injury to nonfrontal regions, indicating that complex networks are involved in EF. Additionally, domain-specific changes beyond the changes in EF are important considerations in network analyses. We propose a method to advance future research on EF by using focal frontal lesion studies and neural network principles as frameworks to expand our understanding of aging-related changes in EF and processing speed.
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- Cognitive Changes and the Aging Brain , pp. 168 - 187Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019
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