Which of the following changes may occur to the neural pathways over time as a result of aging?

As individuals age, various physiological changes occur in the brain and the nervous system, leading to alterations in neural pathways. One of the significant changes is that neural pathways may undergo degeneration. This process refers to the reduction or loss of structure and function of neurons, which can result from various factors such as decreased synaptic plasticity, loss of myelin, and reduced neuronal connections.

Degeneration can manifest as cognitive decline, decreased processing speed, and challenges in memory and learning. As the brain ages, there is often a reduction in the number of neurons and synapses, contributing to the overall decline in neural efficiency and connectivity.

In contrast, while neural pathways can exhibit some degree of plasticity, it is generally accepted that significant growth or maintenance of efficiency (options suggesting growth or increased efficiency) is less common in the aging brain. Additionally, the idea that neural pathways remain stable is not consistent with empirical evidence, as aging typically brings about observable changes rather than stability in neural architecture.