I. Introduction
II. Main functions for homeostasis
A. Overall goal
B. Monitoring
C. Communicating
D.
Stimulating
E.
Coordinating
F. Remembering
G. Thinking
III. Neurons - structure and functioning
A. Components
1. Nerve cell
body
2. Dendrites
3. Axon
B. Operations
1. Reception
2. Conduction
- action potentials
3. Transmission
a. Locations
b. Processes
c. Outcomes
C. Neuroglia
D. Schwann cells
IV. Nervous system organization
A. Central nervous system
B. Peripheral nervous system
1.
Sensory portion
2.
Motor portion
a. Somatic
b. Autonomic
V. Nervous system pathways
A. Reflexes
1. Characteristics
and importance
2. Reflex pathways
B. Conscious sensation
1. Characteristics
and importance
2.
Pathways
C. Voluntary movements
1. Characteristics
and importance
2. Pathways
D. Higher-level functions
VI.
Age changes in sensory functioning and consequences
A.
Skin receptors
B. Sense of smell
C.
Sense of taste
D. Other sensory neurons
VII.
Age changes in somatic motor functioning
A. Somatic motor neurons
1. Number
2.
Action potentials
3. Neuromuscular
transmission
VIII. Age changes in autonomic motor functioning
A.
Overview
B.
Autonomic motor neurons - specific changes
1. Blood pressure
regulation
2. Temperature
regulation
3. Erection
of the penis
4. Iris and
pupil of the eye
5. Swallowing
C. Sympathetic neurotransmitters - norepinephrine
IX. Age changes in reflexes
A. Sensitivity
B. Speed
C. Strength
D. Coordination
X.
Age changes in conscious sensation and voluntary movements
XI. Aging changes in the CNS
A. Spinal cord
B. Brain
1. Dimensions
2. Numbers of
neurons - regional differences
3. Neuron structure
and functioning - neurofibrillar tangles
4.
Synapses
a. Neurotransmitters
b. Number
c. Structure
d. Amyloid plaques
XII. Aging of other brain functions
A. Memory
1.
Types
2. Age changes
in memory
a. Short term memory
b. Long term memory
c. Incidental memory
d. Working memory
3.
Methods for
preserving and improving memory
B. Thinking
1. Types of
intelligence
2.
Age changes
in thinking
a. Crystallized intelligence
b. Fluid intelligence
C. Vocabulary and conversation
D. Supporting memory and intelligence
E.
Personality
1. Aspects
2. Age changes
in personality
F. Sleep
1. Age changes
in sleep - trends and effects
2. Methods for
improving sleep
XIII. Biorhythms
A.
Types
B. Circadian rhythm
1. Regulation
2. Significance
3.
Age changes
XIV. Conclusion - overview of normal age changes
XV. Diseases of the nervous system
A. Strokes
1. Incidence
and outcomes
2.
Causes, types,
and effects
a. Ischemic strokes
b. Hemorrhagic strokes
c. Signs and symptoms
d. Treatments
XVI. Dementia
A. Criteria
B. Incidence by type
C. Multi-infarct dementia
D.
Alzheimer's disease
1. Incidence
and demographics
2. Types
3.
Causes
4. Effects
5. Diagnosis
6. Changes in
the brain
7.
Plaques and
tangles
8.
Beta-amyloid
9.
Tau protein
10. APOE (apolipoprotein-epsilon)
11. Presinilins
12. Genetics
of AD
13. Treatments
E.
Parkinson's disease
1. Incidence
2. Causes
3. Effects
a. Control of muscles
b. Other effects
4. Nervous system
changes - neurons and transmitters
5. Diagnosis
6. Treatments
F. Dementia with Lewy bodies