title: Normal cognitive changes in aging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive abilities decline with normal aging. Fluid abilities such as speed and problem solving show declines from early adulthood, and crystallised abilities such as knowledge and expertise increase until old age.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews changes in normal cognitive aging a nd associated risk factors. It aims to provide a framework for approaching the differentiation of normal cognitive aging from dementia through awareness of mental status screening and changes from previous functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding normal cognitive aging is essential for assessing older patients presenting with memory and other cognitive complaints. Many of the risk factors for cognitive aging are modifiable such as hypertension, diabetes, and levels of physical, mental and social activity. At a population level, primary prevention or reduction of cognitive aging is possible through addressing modifiable risk factors. This in turn may reduce population levels of dementia.
authors.affiliation: Ageing Research Unit, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University. kaarin.anstey@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: Kaarin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Anstey
authors.forename: Lee-Fay
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Low
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008568:Memory; D012307:Risk Factors