Final answer:
The frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex are known to shrink more than other areas of the brain, affecting cognitive functions like planning and language. Changes in the brain such as neuroplasticity and synaptic pruning continually affect cognitive abilities throughout a person's life. Damage to the Broca's area can result in Broca's aphasia, demonstrating the link between brain structure and language ability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area of the brain that tends to shrink more than other areas is the cerebral cortex, particularly the frontal lobes. This shrinkage can affect a variety of cognitive functions such as planning, reasoning, memory, and impulse control. During the aging process or in neurodegenerative diseases, these areas can show significant atrophy, leading to cognitive decline. In addition to age-related changes, neuroplasticity plays a key role in the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself in response to learning or after injury. However, synaptic pruning and increased myelination during adolescence make the brain more efficient and alter cognitive functions.
Individuals with damage to the Broca's area, located in the frontal lobe, often have difficulties with language production, which is known as Broca's aphasia. Research into brain function often involves studying behavioral changes following neural injury, such as from a stroke, to understand the functions of specific brain regions. These injuries and subsequent behavioral observations provide insight into how different areas contribute to our cognitive abilities and behaviors.