UDC

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Authors

Deputat Irina Sergeevna, Institute of Medical and Biological Research, Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Arkhangelsk, Russia) 

Abstract

The article presents the results of the study on the functional state of the brain in 97 older women with different levels of cognitive functioning. We show the importance of identifying brain changes to study systemic age-related reorganizations of mental activity at ageing, as well as the relevance of risk assessment of cognitive disorders in older people. To evaluate the state of cognition, we used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. The subjects were divided into two groups: those with normal cognitive functions and those with cognitive decline. In each group, brain bioelectrical activity and energy metabolism in the frontal areas of the brain were assessed. We found a general trend of cognitive decline and deteriorating performance in most of the cognitive tests in older women. This trend is polymorphous and affects memory processes, thinking operations, attention, and speech. The peculiarities found in the EEG’s of the subjects with cognitive decline indicate changes in the stem and diencephalon structures, as well as a possible dysfunction of cortical structures. The distribution of DC potential level allows us to suggest unstable functioning of the frontal areas of the brain. The results obtained indicate that cognitive decline in older people is reflected in the bioelectrical activity of the brain and distribution of DC potential level.

Keywords

older people, cognitive functions, brain bioelectrical activity, distribution of DC potential level.

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