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Aging and Cognition - Coggle Diagram
Aging and Cognition
White Matter Decline
Communication disruption: impaired connectivity between brain areas
Myelin breakdown: loss of protective sheath around nerve fibers
Neurochemical Changes
Dopamine decrease: impacts attention and memory
Alzheimer's disease: linked to amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
Age-Related Cognitive Declines
Memory Decline
Episodic memory: difficulty remembering specific events and experiences
Recent events: challenges in recalling recent occurrences
Learning new information: struggles with acquiring new knowledge
Processing Speed Decline
Slower cognitive tasks: increased time to complete tasks
Impact on daily activities: driving, problem-solving
Cognitive efficiency: overall decline in processing speed
Executive Function Decline
Planning: difficulties in organizing tasks
Decision-making: challenges in making choices
Multitasking: reduced ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Biological Bases of Cognitive Decline
Gray Matter Volume Decrease
Prefrontal cortex: crucial for memory and executive functions
Hippocampus: essential for memory formation
Neuronal loss: natural shrinkage of the brain over time
Consciousness and its Disorders
Philosophical Positions on Consciousness
Dualism
Mind and body as separate entities
Consciousness independent of the physical brain
Materialism
Consciousness emerges from physical processes in the brain
Frame of mind contingent on neural movement
Functionalism
Mental capacities framed by functional roles
Brain's structure and physical makeup
Appeals to contemporary neuroscience
Integrative essence of brain function and environment
Neural Correlates of Consciousness (NCCs)
Key Brain Regions
Prefrontal cortex: involved in conscious experience
Posterior parietal cortex: active during conscious perception
Thalamus: key factor in awareness
Global Workspace Theory
Fusion of information across brain networks
Unified conscious experience through global workspace
Connectivity and communication within the brain
Default Mode Network (DMN)
Active during rest and self-referential thought
Introspective and self-related processes crucial for consciousness