The aging process can have a number of impacts on learning. As we age, we may find it more difficult to learn new information or to remember things that we have already learned. This is because the aging process can lead to changes in the brain that can impact our cognitive abilities.
One of the most common changes that occurs in the brain as we age is called “cortical thinning.” This refers to a loss of neurons and other cells in the cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for higher-level cognition including learning and memory. This loss of cells can make it more difficult for us to learn new information or to remember things that we have already learned.
In addition to cortical thinning, another change that occurs in the brain as we age is called “white matter atrophy.” This refers to a loss of myelin, which is a substance that surrounds and protects nerve fibers in the brain. This loss of myelin can make it more difficult for messages to be sent between different areas of the brain, which can impact our ability to learn and remember information.
There are a number of other changes that occur in the brain as we age, but these two are some of the most common changes that can impact our ability to learn and remember information. If you’re concerned about how aging might impact your ability to learn or remember things, talk with your doctor about ways to keep your cognitive abilities sharp as you age.