Question 1

Research has found that declines in the dopaminergic system are related to declines in _____ memory and _____ tasks.

Accepted Answer

The dopaminergic system is known to be involved in the regulation of cognitive functions such as attention, working memory, and processing speed. Research has specifically found that declines in this system are related to declines in episodic memory (memories of specific events and experiences) and speed tasks (tasks that require quick processing and response times). Therefore, option D - episodic memory and speed tasks - is the best choice.

Question 2

Recently the availability of Neuroscientific methods stimulated research that allows us to study _____ processes and changes.

Accepted Answer

Neuroscientific methods are often used to study cognitive processes, such as perception, attention, memory, and decision-making. While they may also be used to study genetic, behavioral, or social processes, the question is asking for the best choice only, which is cognitive.

Question 3

Dopaminergic system is associated with high-level cognitive functioning like inhibiting thoughts,_____ and planning.

Accepted Answer

Dopaminergic system is known to be associated with high-level cognitive functioning such as attention, concentration, and planning. It is responsible for the regulation of thought processes, which means it can inhibit unnecessary thoughts and keep the mind focused on the task at hand. While socialization and temperament may be affected by dopamine, they are not as strongly associated with the dopaminergic system as attention and concentration. Therefore, the best choice is A, attention.

Question 4

Evidence suggests that _____ shrinkage in the brain is linked to poor cognitive performance.

Accepted Answer

Shrinkage in volume of the brain is linked to poor cognitive performance as it indicates a loss in brain cells and connectivity, which can lead to decreased cognitive abilities. Density and size alone cannot directly indicate the loss of brain cells and memory is a cognitive function that can be impaired by brain shrinkage but is not a measure of it.

Question 5

The higher-order executive functions are involved in the ability to make and carry out plans,switch between tasks,and maintain _____and _____.

Accepted Answer

The higher-order executive functions are related to cognitive control and involve the ability to shift between tasks, maintain attention, and focus on goals. Therefore, the correct answer is B - attention and focus. A, C, and D are not related to the concept of executive functions.

Question 6

functioning includes processes such as inhibitory control or the ability to control the contents of the conscious mind using working memory.

Accepted Answer

The term "inhibitory control" pertains to the executive functioning skills, which are responsible for regulating one's thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Inhibition refers to the ability to resist impulsive reactions and maintain attention and focus on relevant information. Working memory is also a component of executive functioning, describing the ability to hold information temporarily in mind while performing mental operations on it. Therefore, because both inhibitory control and working memory are part of executive functioning, choice A is the best option.

Question 7

_____is the neurotransmitter that sends messages throughout the brain.

Accepted Answer

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that sends messages throughout the brain, particularly in the areas related to motivation, reward, and movement control. It plays a role in several key functions such as pleasure, decision-making, and learning. Parkinson's disease, for example, is associated with a lack of dopamine in the brain.

Question 8

Overall,there is considerable shrinkage that occurs in the aging brain,however the shrinkage is selective,the prefrontal cortex,the _____ and the _____ show profound shrinkage.

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum are known to show significant shrinkage with aging.

Question 9

Some studies have found prefrontal _____ to be linked to working memory performance.

Accepted Answer

Studies have found a positive correlation between prefrontal volume and working memory performance. This suggests that individuals with larger prefrontal volumes have better working memory abilities.

Question 10

The sensory cortices,such as the visual cortex,show relatively little _____.

Accepted Answer

The sensory cortices, including the visual cortex, show relatively little shrinkage with age compared to other brain regions.

Question 11

WMH in healthy older adults have been inked to _____ cognitive test scores and _____ executive functioning.

Accepted Answer

WMH (white matter hyperintensity) in healthy older adults have been linked to lower cognitive test scores and decreased executive functioning.

Question 12

Neuroscience has dedicated most of its effort to the _____.

Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain and is responsible for many important functions such as consciousness, perception, and voluntary movement. Neuroscience has dedicated most of its effort to studying the structure and function of the cerebral cortex.

Question 13

To explore brain related factors that might explain age differences in cognitive functioning: a researcher may use _____ to examine how changes in brain activity occur in correspondence to changes in task demands and the type of cognitive functioning.

Accepted Answer

fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is the best choice because it measures changes in blood flow in the brain, which indicate changes in neural activity, in response to specific cognitive tasks. It can provide insight into which brain regions are most active during particular types of cognitive functioning and how those regions may change with age. EEG (electroencephalography) measures electrical activity in the brain but has limited spatial resolution, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) provides structural images of the brain but does not directly measure neural activity. eMRI is not a commonly used term in neuroscience.

Question 14

Using the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI),studies examine WMH (white matter hyper intensities)have demonstrated that such disruptions may represent dysfunction of the _____ cortex in older adulthood.

Accepted Answer

DTI studies examining WMH have suggested that disruptions in white matter may represent dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex in older adulthood.

Question 15

The white matter area shows deterioration with increasing age; the Neuroimaging method _____ assess the rate and direction that water diffuses through the white matter.

Accepted Answer

DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) is the most appropriate method for assessing the rate and direction of water diffusing through white matter, which can provide information about the microstructural integrity of white matter, including fiber direction, density, and coherence. fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can provide information about brain structure and function, but they cannot directly assess the diffusion of water in white matter. A MRI scanner is a machine used to perform MRI scans, it is not a method itself.

Question 16

The majority of evidence suggests that age-related change in _____ regions of the brain correlates with executive dysfunction and memory decline.

Accepted Answer

The frontal regions of the brain are responsible for executive functions such as attention, planning, and inhibition, as well as memory processes such as working memory. Research has demonstrated that age-related changes in these regions of the brain are strongly associated with executive dysfunction and memory decline.

Question 17

Executive functioning failures in older adults include irrelevant information to process in the _____.

Accepted Answer

Working memory involves holding and manipulating information in the mind for a short period of time. Executive functioning failures can lead to difficulties in filtering out irrelevant information in working memory, which can lead to confusion and errors.

Question 18

The WMH are linked to cerebrovascular disease,which is preventable and can be treated with medication and changes in _____.

Accepted Answer

Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet, can help prevent and treat cerebrovascular disease.

Question 19

The effective functioning of the dopaminergic system _____ in normal aging.

Accepted Answer

The dopaminergic system declines in normal aging, which means the number and activity of dopamine-producing neurons decrease, leading to a reduction in dopamine levels in the brain. This can result in decreased motivation, slowed movement, and impaired cognitive function.

Question 20

Poor performance on executive functioning tasks has also been linked with _____ volume of the prefrontal cortex.

Accepted Answer

Decreased volume of the prefrontal cortex has been consistently observed in individuals with poor performance on executive functioning tasks. This region of the brain is important for planning, decision-making, working memory, and other higher-order cognitive processes that are involved in executive functioning.

Quiz 2: Neuroscience As a Basis for Adult Development and Aging

Research has found that declines in the dopaminergic system are related to declines in _ memory and _ tasks.