Chapter 24
Cognitive Development in
Late Adulthood
Michael Hoerger
Brain Slowdown
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cognitive tasks are
slower with age
Breakdown of myelin
Reduced production of
neurotransmitters
Slower blood flow
Not usually due to neuron death
Healthy diet and education may be
protective factors
Dementia
Definition: cognitive decline, for
judgment, memory, and problem solving
Over 70 causes; we’ll focus on two
1) Strokes can cause “vascular dementia”
or “multiple infarct dementia”
Infarcts (blocked blood vessels) prevent
oxygen from reaching the brain
Ministrokes are silent and common
Lack of exercise, poor diet, and smoking
increase risk
2) Alzheimer’s Disease: most common
dementia, characterized by plaques and
tangles
Autopsy findings
Strokes = more decline
Odds increase with age, 20% over 85
Genetics factors can increase or decrease
risk
Risk reducers: healthy diet (fruits and
vegetables), intellectual stimulation,
physical exercise, no smoking
Michael Hoerger
To cite this textbook:
Berger, K. (2005). The developing person
through the lifespan. New York: Worth.
To cite this lecture:
Hoerger, M. (2007, April 18).
Developmental Psychology: Late
Adulthood Cognitive Development.
Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central
Michigan University.