Neural Systems & Cognitive Decline

Module Overview

This module spans Chapters 4 through 9 and concerns general cognitive aging and the underlying neural systems that are being affected. The PDFs provided are mainly for students wanting a deeper dive into some of these interesting topics and are not testable, not required reading. HOWEVER, for several of the PDFs, there is substantial overlap with materials on the slides, and if you are having issues with the slide-contents, might be helpful (or you could just ask me for help-- this is my job!).
  • Chapters 4 and 5 deal with general neural systems and their decline in normal aging.
  • Chapter 6 is an imaging overview: imaging is spread throughout all the other chapters, so please read carefully, ask questions.
  • Chapter 7 deals with neocortex and extends Chap. 4/5 topics.
  • Chapters 8 and 9 provide fundamentals of memory and executive functions: impaired by both aging and neurodegeneration.

Slidesets

Chapter 4 Emphasizes key systems that can sustain cognition in old age, but may be compromised in neural diseases. Highlights the Neocortical Nexus and affiliated systems, basal ganglia, hippocampus, and cerebellum; as well as neural oscillators, decision making, neural representations, and bottom-up vs top-down processing.
Chapter 5 Covers primary CNS changes with age, beginning with structural changes in both gray and white matter, including demyelination, atrophy, and vascular changes. Another focus is cognitive deficits like cognitive slowing as assessed by task performance and EEG. Cognitive decline is of special note as are relations between structural damage and neural circuit operations.
Chapter 7 Overviews cerebral cortex, introduces structures central to cognitive aging, and provides overall neuroanatomical context of major structures and operations. Emphasizes core systems impacted by Alzheimer's and other degenerative processes, specifically those that affect orientation; enduring memories; and decision-making, thought, and planning.
Chapter 8 Introduces Declarative Memories (long-term storage), as well as Working Memory (short-term stores). Provides a foundation in memory and its mechanisms for a better understanding of the effects of aging and neurodegeneration on the system. We try to bring order to the conceptually crowded field of memory studies while also introducing key circuit-level details.
Chapter 9 Working memory encodes many mental processes while influencing and supporting a broad range of cognitive activities. Its declines are discussed in the context of core theories and neuronal machinery: persistent neural activity, long-term memory, long-range connections, neural oscillations, and neuromodulators. Mant processes supported by working memory are classified as "executive functioning" and are localized to the pre-frontal cortex - the first region in the human brain to show atrophy.

Additional Resources

The first two PDFs (Insights, Slowing Down) are covered extensively in Chapter 5 and so might be worth reading to consolidate topics and find knowledge-gaps that I can help you with. The next three PDFs are about memory systems. We do a lot of the WM/Brad and Mark PDF (on Working Memory) in Chapter 9. The last two pdfs are truly supplemental in that only a few small bits of them make their way into our slides. But they can help build a strong memory-systems foundation, if you like that sort of thing! I am always happy to talk about any of this.
Copyright © 2020 Donald M. O'Malley -- except for Template Images which belong to Web.com I reckon!