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What is an example of a structural brain change that affects cognition in aging adults?

According to the National Institutes of Health, normal aging includes subtle declines in some cognitive abilities, often due to changes in brain structure. A prime example of a structural brain change that affects cognition in aging adults is the atrophy, or shrinkage, of the prefrontal cortex, which impairs high-level executive functions like planning and problem-solving. This age-related volume loss in the frontal lobe is a common and predictable part of the aging process, distinct from the more severe changes seen in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.