Cognitive Aging

Given our aging population, as well as the increasing prevalence of
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, there is increasing
interest in understanding the ways in which cognitive and neural
function is altered in healthy elderly adults and those with
neurodegenerative disease. Recent research has indicated that
certain interventions, such as exercise or cognitive training
programs, may ameliorate cognitive function in elderly individuals
with or without cognitive impairment. This course will survey the
cognitive domains in which function is impacted in healthy aging and
examine age-related changes in neural function and structure. We
will also review the impact of various neurodegenerative conditions,
including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and will examine
the effects of cognitive training and lifestyle interventions on
cognitive function.