Therefore, it becomes difficult to learn new things

The brain is constantly sifting through knowledge that is no longer necessary. It leaves room for newer, more relevant information that we benefit from more.

But with age, this function declines. Old information can “snag” working memory when we try to learn new things. It is a form of memory disorder called anticipatory interference.

Weaker connections

A new thesis at Örebro University examines what happens to the structure and function of the brain in the event of such a memory disorder. Among other things, it turns out that elderly people with memory disorders have poor connectivity between brain regions. They also tend to have lower quality fibers connecting areas of the brain.

These connections are important for different brain regions to be able to communicate with each other, says Pernilla Andersson, a researcher in cognitive neuroscience at Örebro University.

– When the quality is lower, it can affect how efficient and fast the connection is.

An important part of the brain shrinks

Changes in the hippocampus, the brain region central to memory, also appear to play a major role in how well we cope with memory decline as we age.

– When the hippocampus shrinks, the risk of anticipatory interference increases in old age. Pernilla Anderson says the hippocampus plays an important role when it comes to noticing the context in which certain information or an event occurs.

This helps explain why memory deteriorates with age, and learning new things becomes more difficult.

Some learn easily

It is largely unknown what factors determine who is affected by memory impairment.

– There is great variation when it comes to cognitive aging, as we see that some continue to perform as if they were younger. It is an area I would like to continue researching,” says Pernilla Anderson.

To date, there is also no specific advice on how to reduce the risk of suffering from memory disorders and poor working memory.

– It is an area that is still relatively unexplored. There is a study showing that mindfulness can have a positive effect on the ability to control proactive interference. But more research is needed when it comes to aging, says Pernilla Anderson.

thesis:

Differential effects of age on indices of brain structure and function associated with proactive control of interference in working memoryÖrebro University.