3 ARTICLES ON KEEPING THE AGING BRAIN HEALTHY

ARTICLE #1  The Changing Brain in Healthy Aging
SOURCE

National Institute on Aging

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/part-1-basics-healthy-brain/changing-brain-healthy-aging

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/koeyalx

ARTICLE #2   As We Age, Keys to Remembering Where the Keys Are

SOURCE

New York Times, May 4, 2015, by Jane Brody

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/as-we-age-keys-to-remembering-where-the-keys-are/?emc=edit_hh_20150505&nl=health&nlid=38200791&_r=0

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/ov2jrta

ARTICLE #3   For an Aging Brain, Looking for Ways to Keep Memory Sharp

SOURCE

New York Times, May 11, 2015, by Jane Brody

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/for-agings-effects-more-solutions-than-proof-of-success/?emc=edit_hh_20150512&nl=health&nlid=38200791&_r=0

(shortened URL)   http://tinyurl.com/puso99h

DESCRIPTION

The three articles look at how the “healthy” brain and changes through the aging process.  The first of the articles from the National Institute on Again (also see Website of the Week) details both the physical and cognitive (mental) changes that occur over time; this article should be read first.  The next two articles by Jane Brody in the New York Times examines everyday situations and how the brain changes affect daily living especially memory retrieval.  Further, the articles highlight some recent studies on cognitive decline prevention and some strategies on improving memory function.

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What are the normal physical changes that occur in the brain due to aging?
•What are the cognitive (mental) changes that occur due to aging?
•How, in particular, does memory show decline in healthy aging?
•What strategies are suggested for prevention of the decline?
•Though not mentioned as such in the articles, discuss the concepts of fluid and crystallized intelligence.