Memory decline with age

Memory decline with age

1. 1. Normal vs Abnormal Memory Aging:

   • memory changes that affect daily functioning - 1 way to separate normal from abnormal aging
     • Brain-imaging techniques allow localization of problems with more precision
   • Some diseases are marked by severe memory impairments - difficult to see normal from abnormal
   • Different areas of the brain control different aspects of memory

2. connection between memory and physical and mental health:

   • Dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s) & depression both - memory impairment
   • Temporary global amnesia, more common in middle age than in younger / older adulthood, maybe blood flow to brain
   • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) serious memory consequences e.g.long-term potential damage from repeated concussions

3. Sensory memory: 1st level of processing incoming information from environment.- large capacity, but lasts there a short time

   • Working memory: processes & structures - holding information in mind & simultaneously using information, sometimes in conjunction with incoming information, to solve a problem, make a decision, or learn. Information kept active through rehearsal
     • Implicit memory: retrieval of information without conscious or intentional recollection
       • Explicit memory: intentional & conscious remembering of information learned & remembered at a specific point in time
         • Older adults: better at implicit than explicit memory tasks
         • Long-term memory: ability to remember extensive amounts of information few seconds to decades
           • episodic memory, age-related decrements are typically found on recall tests but not on recognition tests.
             • Semantic memory: learning & remembering meaning of words & concepts not tied to specific occurrences of events in time. Few age differences
     • capacity and rehearsal decline with age