ABSTRACT

Aging brings about characteristic changes in brain functions, which can present in such diverse aspects as alterations in cognitive function, motor coordination, and sleep pattern. Although there is a general trend towards functional decline during aging, the degree of these changes can vary widely between individuals and generally they do not seriously compromise the quality of life. However, some agerelated alterations might increase a person’s vulnerability to some neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent advances in molecular biology, neurophysiology, and functional brain imaging have made a significant progress in understanding some aspects of the biological mechanisms underlying the aging process.