Why Cognitive Function Declines

Understanding what contributes to cognitive decline helps researchers figure out what strategies may help delay or even prevent impairments in brain functioning. Some of the theories thought to contribute include:

Decreased brain mass— this is especially the case in the frontal lobe and hippocampus (important for learning and memory), and shrinkage may start to occur once we’re over the age of 60.

Decreased connections— because the outer-ridge surface may see a decline in synaptic connections and the myelin sheath also shrinks, processing may be slowed, reducing cognitive functions.

Fewer chemical messengers— as we age, we may see a decrease in chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) like dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which may not only result in decreased cognitive functioning and memory but also increase the risk of depression.

So, to improve brain power and help our brains age more gracefully, we can adjust lifestyle behaviors. For example, excess fat, especially around the waist, has been shown to accelerate brain shrinkage and reduce brain power, and the consumption of soda has been also. Those who don’t exercise can experience a doubling of their aging brain (i.e., comparable to 10 years of aging in just 5 years).

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