The Aging Brain

Aging affects us all, and it's important to know how our cognitive functions change over our lives. Open with an examination of how fluid processing skills - such as episodic and working memory - tend to decline over time, whereas crystallized intelligence (how-to skills and accumulated knowledge) remains stable or even improves.

Take a look at how our genes influence the aging process. Professor Polk explores several theories for why we age and eventually die, then delves into the genetic mechanisms involved in aging. Find out how replication damages cells and why there is a limit to the number of healthy replications our cells can make.

Scientists debate whether aging is actually a disease, but the effects of aging indisputably resemble the symptoms of a disease. Here, examine three major mechanisms behind these effects: energy consumption, free radicals, and damage to our DNA. Then consider whether there could be a way to "cure" these effects.

See how the cognitive changes of aging relate to the biological changes discussed previously. It turns out that regions of the brain associated with processing speed, executive function, and episodic memory are more susceptible to aging, which may explain why these cognitive functions are particularly susceptible to decline.

Turn from the brain's structure to its activity. After reviewing how we study brain function via fMRI, Professor Polk demonstrates how brain activity changes as we age - and how these changes impact our memory, our ability to multitask, and more. Then, learn some good news about how the brain compensates for these changes.

See what science knows about our evolving emotional landscape, and why older people tend to be happier than the young. Depression can still be a problem for older adults, though - consider the most common causes, discover how symptoms may differ from those of younger people, and learn to match the treatment to the situation.