Which of the following is commonly associated with aging in the nervous system?

The chosen answer, slower neural processing, accurately reflects a significant aspect of how aging affects the nervous system. As individuals age, various physiological changes occur within the brain and nervous system that can lead to a reduction in the speed and efficiency of neural transmission. This slowdown can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the loss of neurons, declines in neurotransmitter levels, and diminished myelination of nerve fibers. These changes collectively contribute to longer processing times for neural signals, which can impact cognitive functions and response times.

In contrast, the other options do not appropriately describe typical changes associated with aging. Increased neural connections are often seen in younger, developing brains rather than older ones, where synaptic pruning can lead to fewer connections. Enhanced synaptic plasticity generally decreases with age, meaning older adults may not adapt to new experiences or learning as readily as younger adults. Lastly, faster reflexes would be contrary to the observed trend, as reflexes may also slow down due to the aforementioned changes in processing speed and neural efficiency. Thus, slower neural processing is a well-documented phenomenon in the context of aging and the nervous system.