Age-Related Dynamics of Cognitive Functions in Persons Aged 50–85 Years

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an original study devoted to the dynamics of cognitive functions in the population cohort 50 to 85 years of age without neurodegenerative, vascular, or other significant diseases associated with cognitive impairment. It has been shown that memory moderately declines with aging, which is expressed in inadequacy of recollection against a relatively preserved level of memory, and mild executive dysfunctions develop (in planning and control). According to the generally accepted neuropsychological approaches, these age-related cognitive changes emerge due to anterior cortical dysfunctions and/or impaired interaction between the frontal lobes and subcortical basal ganglia. This study has also shown that there are types of age-related physiological changes normally occurring in the area of memory and executive functions, which is clinically important for differential diagnosis to distinguish normal aging from the early stages of cerebral diseases typical of the elderly.