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Age-Related Change in Cognitive Function

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Book cover Handbook of Neuropsychology and Aging

Part of the book series: Critical Issues in Neuropsychology ((CINP))

Abstract

This chapter considers cognitive functioning in persons age 65 or older. Persons within this age group commonly report difficulty with memory and other cognitive abilities compared to an earlier period. These perceptions may contribute to concern about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementing illnesses. In view of the prevalence of AD and other conditions that affect cognition in this age group (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, stroke), such concern is understandable. Indeed, impaired cognitive function in older persons is associated with loss of independence, increased morbidity and mortality, and reduced quality of life. Not surprisingly, therefore, considerable scientific effort has been expended in attempts to understand age-related cognitive decline, its neural bases, and factors which may modify or delay it.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rush Institute on Aging, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, and Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, USA

    Robert S. Wilson, David A. Bennett & Andrea Swartzendruber

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  1. Robert S. Wilson
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  2. David A. Bennett
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  3. Andrea Swartzendruber
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Aging Research and Education Center, Lutheran Affiliated Services, Mars, Pennsylvania, 16046, USA

    Paul David Nussbaum

  2. Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, USA

    Paul David Nussbaum

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Wilson, R.S., Bennett, D.A., Swartzendruber, A. (1997). Age-Related Change in Cognitive Function. In: Nussbaum, P.D. (eds) Handbook of Neuropsychology and Aging. Critical Issues in Neuropsychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1857-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1857-4_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1859-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1857-4

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