As people age, the brain naturally changes. These changes can affect mental function, even in healthy older people. Age-related changes in the brain may include:
- Shrinking of parts of the brain that are important for learning
- Less effective communication between nerve cells (neurons)
- Decreased blood flow
- Increased inflammation
Some older adults may find that they don’t do as well as younger individuals on complex memory or learning tests. However, if given enough time to learn a new task, older adults usually perform just as well. Learn more about changes in the brain and what they mean.
