Cognitive aging : the role of neurotransmitter systems

• Much of the extant work in the cognitive neurosciences of aging has focused on identifying the neural correlates of age-related declines in episodic memory and working memory. This chapter reviews evidence from human studies that speaks to the hypothesis that age-related dysfunctions in specific neurotransmitter systems play a critical role in cognitive decline. Based in large part on results from functional neuroimaging studies including positron emission tomography (PET) and pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we conclude that there is emerging evidence that dysfunctions in the dopamine, noradrenaline, and cholinergic systems play a critical role in age- related cognitive decline of working memory and episodic memory. These conclusions are important and encourage further study in order to tailor interventions that preserve cognitive functions in older age via augmentation of neurotransmitter functions.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Acetylcholine

Alzheimer's disease

Dopamine

Episodic memory

Hippocampus

Locus coeruleus

Magnetic resonance imaging

Noradrenaline

Positron emission tomography

Prefrontal cortex

Scopolamine

Striatum

Working memory

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