Cognition and Our Brains Through the Human Lifespan
Cognitive and brain aging have become important topics in science as we prepare for the baby boomers to age and utilize our healthcare system with large rates of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and related dementias. This online CNE/CEU course goes through the basics of cognition and brain aging both normative and non-normative and common theories and mechanism to study these topics through the lifespan.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain why it is important for healthcare workers should study cognition through the human lifespan
- Holistically define cognition.
- Map elements of cognition onto the brain.
- Identify and explain differences in methods of mapping the brain.
- Verbalize key phases of lifespan human cognitive development young to old.
- List a few major theories of lifespan cognitive ability.
- Recognize key brain changes during aging from physical to functional.
- Differentiate pathological from normative cognitive decline.
- List features of pathological cognitive decline.
- Identify ways Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other dementias are diagnosed.
- Describe different factors that may influence cognitive again variability.
Curriculum
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Defining Cognition
Chapter 3: Mapping Elements of Cognition onto the Brain
Chapter 4: Methods of Mapping the Brain
Chapter 5: Lifespan Human Cognitive Development - Young to Old
- Infancy and Childhood
- Adolescence
- Middle of Lifespan
- Older Adults
- Peaks in Cognitive Abilities
Chapter 6: Theory of Lifespan Cognitive Ability
- Sensory Capability Indicative of Cognitive Function
- Ascertainment Bias
- Theory of Attention and Working Memory
- Depth of Processing
Chapter 7: Brain Changes and Aging
- Physical Changes in the Brain
- Functional Changes in Brain Mechanisms
- Distinguishing Pathological from Normative Decline
- Pathological Cognitive Decline
- Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias
Chapter 8: Cognitive Aging Variability
- Education
- Employment, Occupation and Career
- Leisure Activities and Associations with Cognitive Function
- Criticism of Mental Activity Theory Research
- Chapter 9: References
Price: $18.00
Contact Hours: 1.5
Course Author
Catherine Schneider
Dr. Schneider is Ph.D. trained gerontologist who studied non-pharmacological interventions of cognitive impairment at the University of Kentucky.
Read Full BioCourse Accreditation
See our Accreditation Statements page to view our accreditation information.