Influences of Biological and Self-Initiated Factors on Brain and Cognition in Adulthood and Aging

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511499722.013

11 - Influences of Biological and Self-Initiated Factors on Brain and Cognition in Adulthood and Aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 July 2009

Lars Nyberg and

Lars Bäckman

Edited by

Paul B. Baltes ,

Patricia A. Reuter-Lorenz and

Frank Rösler

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Lars Nyberg: Affiliation:
Professor of Neuroscience Umeå University, Sweden
Lars Bäckman: Affiliation:
Professor of Psychology Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Paul B. Baltes: Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung, Berlin
Patricia A. Reuter-Lorenz: Affiliation:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Frank Rösler: Affiliation:
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany

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Summary

ABSTRACT

Age-related memory deficits are most pronounced on demanding tests of working memory and episodic memory, and are more pronounced in some older individuals than in others. In this chapter, we review individual-difference factors that influence memory functioning in adulthood and aging. A distinction is drawn between two categories of factors. The first includes biological factors that impose constraints by predisposing the aging brain toward cognitive decline. The second category includes a more heterogeneous collection of factors that are self-initiated and may be seen as offering possibilities rather than imposing constraints. We conclude by presenting some intriguing avenues for future research.

INTRODUCTION

Increasing age leads to impaired memory function. Although this bold and perhaps depressing opening statement has been supported by numerous empirical observations, it has to be qualified in several ways. First, all memory functions are not uniformly affected by aging. In the domain of short-term working memory, age differences are modest on tasks that involve the passive holding of information over some restricted time period, whereas tasks that more heavily tax executive processes by requiring both holding and manipulation of memory information are associated with much more pronounced age differences. Within the domain of long-term memory, declarative (i.e., episodic and semantic) memory is more age sensitive than nondeclarative (i.e., procedural) memory. Also, within declarative memory, aging seems to have quite differential effects (e.g., Nyberg, Maitland et al., 2003; Fig. 11.1).

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Type: Chapter
Information: Lifespan Development and the Brain
The Perspective of Biocultural Co-Constructivism
, pp. 239 - 254

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511499722.013 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2006

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