ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the extent to which age-related deficits in various cognitive functions are linked to age-related changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission. The chapter is organized into four subsections. We begin with a brief review of some major trends in behavioral research on cognitive aging. We then discuss in some detail in vitro and molecular-imaging findings demonstrating strong negative linkages between adult age and different dopamine (DA) markers. Following this, we present converging evidence that DA is critically implicated in multiple cognitive functions. Finally, these three sections are synthesized into a review of research on the correlative triad among adult age, DA markers, and cognitive performance.
