Aging

• What is the course code for the Cognitive Psychology class?

  PSY2029
• Who is one of the tutors for the Cognitive Psychology course?

  Elena Altobelli
• What is the main topic of today's session in the Cognitive Psychology course?

  Cognitive ageing
• What is the critical question discussed in the lecture regarding cognitive ageing?

  Can we affect cognitive ageing?
• What skill will be focused on during the lecture?

  • Apply a theory or concept or framework to a case or situation
• What are the key questions regarding 'normal' cognitive aging?

  • What is ‘normal’ cognitive aging?
  • When does it begin?
  • What are the symptoms?
  • What is ‘non-normal’ cognitive aging?
• What are some symptoms of 'normal' cognitive decline?

  Slower thinking and doing, hesitating more, and pausing to find words
• What does 'normal' cognitive decline NOT include?

  Not being able to find words and confusion about past versus now
• What cognitive functions are particularly affected by aging?

  Memory, reasoning, attention, visual processing, and reaction time
• What physical changes occur in the brain with aging?

  Both white and grey matter deteriorate, with white matter loss responsible for many symptoms
• What is 'fluid intelligence' in the context of cognitive aging?

  It refers to the significant decrease in cognitive flexibility and adaptability with age
• What concept is associated with the idea of 'use it or lose it' in cognitive aging?

  Neuroplasticity
• How can we potentially reduce the effects of cognitive aging?

  By developing new skills earlier in life
• What did Maguire, Woollett, & Spires (2006) find regarding London taxi drivers?

  They found large hippocampal growth in taxi drivers
• What did Draganski et al. (2004) discover about participants who learned to juggle?

  They found growth in the participants' brains
• What age group did Boyke et al. (2008) study in relation to juggling?

  Participants aged 50-67
• What factors might impact cognitive decline?

  • Early IQ
  • Exercise
  • Hormones
  • Vitamins and diet
• What is the effect of lowering homocysteine levels on cognitive aging?

  It can reduce homocysteine levels significantly
• What did the meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials find regarding folic acid?

  0.5-5mg folic acid reduced homocysteine by 25%
• What was the effect of 0.5 mg B12 on homocysteine levels?

  It reduced homocysteine by +7%
• What interventions are encouraged to support healthy brain aging?

  • Exercise, particularly sport-based
  • Healthy eating
  • Cognitively engaging hobbies (e.g., chess)
• What is cognitive reserve?


  • Engaging certain brain areas during complex cognitive tasks
  • Older individuals may perform well despite frontal lobe decay due to cognitive reserve
  • Built through cognitively engaging hobbies and lifestyle choices
• How can gaming impact cognitive aging?

  Video games can improve working memory, spatial awareness, and reaction time
• What is the effect of action games on cognitive reserve?

  Action games help players filter out distracting information
• What is one example of a game that improved older adults' multitasking abilities?

  Neuroracer
• What did Super Mario 64 do for the hippocampus?

  It caused increases in the size of the hippocampus
• What are the benefits of combining exercise with action games?

  • Exercise combats cognitive aging
  • Stimulation from action games enhances cognitive function
  • Virtual Reality could provide greater stimulation than traditional gaming
• At what age does normal cognitive decline begin?

  As early as 20
• What factors heavily influence cognitive decline?

  Early IQ, hobbies, and lifestyle choices
• What happens to changes in cognitive function if they are constantly used?

  Changes remain if they are constantly used
• What are the key points summarized about cognitive aging?

  • Normal cognitive decline begins as early as 20 and speeds up from 50
  • Certain hobbies may reduce effects even if taken up late
  • Gaming may improve distraction control and attentional resources
• What questions should you be able to answer after independent study?

  • What is normal cognitive aging?
  • When does it begin?
  • What are the symptoms?
  • What is ‘non-normal’?
  • Can we reduce the effect of normal cognitive aging?