Question

Consider a person in late adulthood (age 65 or older) with an MRI that shows reduced sizes in various brain structures in comparison to MRIs taken 15 years ago. The hypothalamus shows shrinkage, which negatively affects its function. What will this person in late adulthood experience as a result of the shrunken hypothalamus

Answer 1

Answer: shortened and/or disturbed sleep/wake cycle.

Explanation:

Any harm to the hypothalamus could create disorders in sleep cycles.

The ventrolateral preoptic nucleus is responsible for the switch between wakefulness and sleep, as it inhibits activity that sustains wakefulness. Many neuropeptide-producing neurons located in the hypothalamus, such as orexin/hypocretin-producing neurons, are involved in the control of sleep/wakefulness.