Fonctions exécutives, attention et mémoire de travail au cours du vieillissement

Abstract

In healthy elderly, the cognitive functioning is usually efficient in daily life, but a “cognitive frailty” may appear in complex situations. Thus, some difficulties may be particularly observed in plan- ning, self-monitoring, inhibiting prepotent responses and altering behaviour in response to changing task demands. These cognitive functions are all linked to executive functions, working memory and attention. Moreover, mental speed, which is reduced in elderly, may influence the testing performance exploring these cognitive domains. Altogether theses factors must be taken into account to better estimate a cognitive decline in older subjects and to detect those at risk for presenting a cognitive impairment in the future. Numerous side factors influencing working memory, mental speed and maybe executive functioning must be evaluated in elderly, especially mood, sensorial and medical status, medication. Finally cognitive compensatory mechanisms, as suggested by neuro-imaging studies, may help older subjects in compensating some decline to manage their life.