How does the cerebral cortex change with aging?

Structural Changes:

1. Thickness: The cerebral cortex exhibits thinning with advancing age, particularly in prefrontal, temporal, and parietal regions. This reflects neuronal loss and dendritic atrophy.

2. Volume: The overall brain volume, including the cerebral cortex, decreases with age. Certain areas, such as the hippocampus, known for memory function, undergo substantial volume loss.

3. Synaptic Density: Synapses, the connections between neurons, decline in number and density as we age. This reduction can impact cognitive processes like memory and learning.

4. White Matter Changes: The white matter, responsible for communication between different brain regions, may experience demyelination, a loss of the myelin sheath that insulates axons, leading to slower signal transmission.

Functional Changes:

1. Cognitive Decline: Age-related cognitive decline, while not inevitable, is common. It can affect memory, processing speed, attention, and decision-making.

2. Altered Activation Patterns: Functional brain imaging reveals changes in activation patterns during cognitive tasks as we age. Some areas may show decreased activity, while others may exhibit increased compensation.

3. Network Disruptions: Functional connectivity, the coordination of activity between brain regions, can weaken with aging, affecting the efficiency of cognitive processes.

4. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Advanced aging increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which involve progressive deterioration of the cerebral cortex.

It's important to note that these age-related changes can vary among individuals, and some may experience healthy aging with minimal cognitive decline. Maintaining cognitive engagement, social interaction, physical activity, and overall brain health can help mitigate age-related changes in the cerebral cortex.