Age-dependent memory decline:
a pathological or sociological trait?
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Forgetfulness
is a common behavioral symptom of aging humans. It may progress to
dementia, but usually afflicted subjects learn to handle their
inconvenience and continue an independent life. The neurobiological
basis of age-related memory decline is a target of clinical and
neuroscientific research. Neuropathological and cognitive indications
point to a slowly developing trait extending over decades.
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| Human
societies heavily depend on the tradition of knowledge slowly
accumulating over many generations. This process involves an important
role for elderly people as the carriers of information to be conserved.
During evolution of the genus homo, longvity represents an important
trait. While fading fitness in other species heralds the end of the
usual life span, humans may spend a significant part of their life in
this state.
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| MEi:CogSci
is a joint master’s programme offered by the Comenius University
in Bratislava, Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, University of
Ljubljana, and
University of Vienna & Medical University of Vienna. |
MB10/19 |
In
their physical weakness they are supported by their younger fellow-men.
In return, they preserve their skills and knowledge and teach the
younger generations. For thousands of generations, human societies have
taken advantage of this division of labor between the generations. As a
by-product, age-dependent forgetfulness arose, since evolution was 'not
interested in' the short-term memory of old people. Only the
conservation of long-term memories contributed to the success of the
tribe.
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