• Potential decrease in the size and weight of the brain (brain atrophy)
• Neuron loss or atrophy in the brain and spinal cord
• Atrophy of neuron supporting cells decrease, which results in impaired nerve connections, slowed electro-chemical reactions, neural dysfunction
• Synaptic (nerve to nerve transmission) is affected by (decreased) changes in neurotransmitter levels of dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Many neural processes slow down.
• Plaque deposits are found in greater concentration in the older brain.

Potential Resulting Conditions

• Epilepsy (seizure disorder)
• Dementia
• Hypotonia (decreased muscle tone)
• Stroke
• Pain

• Any sudden or unexplained change in the individual should be investigated medically
• Slowed reflexes and reaction time in response to neural commands may occur
• Decreased sensation may be reported, noted
• Diminished spatial orientation of movement may result in poor balance, and, slowed movements may be seen in the aging person
• Cognitive function may remain intact such as language function and attention; however, thinking and task performance may decline
• A decrease in short term memory and immediate memory/recall may occur
• A decreased sensitivity to environmental temperature changes may occur
• Changes in sleep patterns may occur
• Strokes, dementia and major depression can occur
• In general: aging changes occur over a long period of time
• An unexplained change in personality and/or significant rapid onset cognitive decline is unusual in the normal aging process