Significantly worse symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness were seen in younger people, while older people showed greater mental well-being. However, when it came to cognition, task performance was worse in older adults.
Neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus coordinate to adapt to different lengths of daylight, changing at cellular and network levels. The neurons changed in mix and expression of dopamine, altering brain activity and subsequently daily routine behaviors.
Those with hereditary hemochromatosis who have two copies of the gene mutation that cause the disorder have an increased risk of developing movement disorders including Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified a set of genetic mutations that protect against cognitive decline in older adults. A new study suggests the selective pressure from infectious pathogens like gonorrhea may have promoted the emergence of this genetic variance in Homo sapiens.