How does a normal EEG in adults aged 70 and older compare to younger adults?

A normal EEG in adults aged 70 and older is characterized by various changes compared to younger adults, one of which includes REM sleep being less than 20% of total sleep time. As individuals age, there is a natural decline in the amount of time spent in REM sleep. This stage of sleep, which is crucial for memory consolidation and emotional regulation, tends to decrease with age, leading to shorter and less frequent REM periods during sleep cycles.

In contrast, while some increases in theta waves and decreases in alpha waves might occur with advancing age, the particular highlight regarding REM sleep duration provides a clearer insight into sleep architecture changes that can be discerned through EEG assessments in older adults.