MEMORY, THINKING, AND AGING - WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT WHAT WE KNOW

Cognition is the foundation that underlies all daily activities, from the most basic to the most complex. Successful aging depends, in large part, on maintaining a level of cognitive ability that allows a perso n to interact effectively and appropriately with the environment. In t he following article we provide an overview of the effects of aging on cognition; discuss physical, social, and psychological factors that h ave been shown to influence cognition in old age; and review current l iterature on interventions that may optimize successful cognitive agin g. We conclude with a discussion of abnormal cognitive aging and revie w current research on risk factors and treatments of Alzheimer's disea se and other dementing illnesses.