The basic cognitive functions most affected by age are attention and memory. Neither of these are unitary functions, however, and evidence suggests that some aspects of attention and memory hold up well with age while others show significant declines.

The prefrontal cortex includes three areas of relevance to emotion: the orbitofrontal region, the dorsolateral prefrontal region, and the medial prefrontal region.

The temporal lobe, cerebellar vermis, cerebellar hemispheres, and hippocampus also reduced volume with between 8 and 18 studies and the prefrontal white matter also showed a reduction (five studies). The occipital cortex was the least affected (five studies).

Signs of cognitive decline

• Forgetting appointments and dates.
• Forgetting recent conversations and events.
• Feeling increasingly overwhelmed by making decisions and plans.
• Having a hard time understanding directions or instructions.
• Losing your sense of direction.
• Losing the ability to organize tasks.
• Becoming more impulsive.

Memory loss can begin from age 45, scientists say. As all those of middle age who have ever fumbled for a name to fit a face will believe, the brain begins to lose sharpness of memory and powers of reasoning and understanding not from 60 as previously thought, but from as early as 45, scientists say.

Elderly people with dementia may keep asking the same questions over and over again, no matter how many times you have given them the answer. They may also repeat sentences, phrases or entire stories word-for-word.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts or Repetitive Behaviors Take Over. People who are distressed by recurring, unwanted, and uncontrollable thoughts or who feel driven to repeat specific behaviors may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Being repetitive Repetition is common in dementia because of memory loss and general behavioral changes. The person may repeat daily tasks, such as shaving, or they may collect items obsessively. They also may repeat the same questions in a conversation after they’ve been answered.

Repetitive speaking, singing and humming all are behaviors associated with schizophrenia. Recent studies have shown that humming can reduce the unpleasant auditory hallucinations that frequently occur in schizophrenia. It’s possible that your daughter is using the humming as a way of dealing with this symptom.

Stimming is a common behavior for children with autism and a frequent cause of concern for parents. Called “stereotypy” in clinical terms, stimming refers to the flapping, rocking, humming, or otherwise repetitive behavior we often associate with children diagnosed with autism.

Hyperactive ADHD Symptom: Noisy Children and adults with hyperactive ADHD are often singing or humming, or even talking to themselves. They may be loud talkers and often can’t be active quietly.

Common triggers include: stress, poor sleep, certain foods and additives, overstimulation, and technology. Once you recognize what triggers your ADHD symptoms, you can make the necessary lifestyle changes to better control episodes.