What is a notable change in the CNS as individuals age?

As individuals age, one of the notable changes in the central nervous system is cerebral atrophy. This refers to the progressive loss of neurons and the accompanying reduction in the volume of the brain. Cerebral atrophy can manifest as an overall decrease in brain size and is particularly evident in certain areas, such as the frontal and temporal lobes. This process can be attributed to several factors, including the accumulation of neurotoxic substances, loss of neural connections, and decreased neurotrophic support.

Many aging individuals also experience cognitive decline associated with cerebral atrophy, which can affect memory, executive function, and other cognitive processes. While some degree of cerebral atrophy is a normal part of aging, it can be more pronounced in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

In contrast, the other options present changes that do not typically occur with aging. Myelination tends to decrease rather than increase, as the myelin sheaths around neurons can become damaged over time. Enhanced neurogenesis, or the growth of new neurons, is generally limited in the adult brain and does not significantly increase with age. The cortical layer, while it may undergo some changes, generally does not get thicker; in fact, the overall thickness of the cortex can diminish due