Final answer:
The correct answer is option a. An increase in brain blood flow due to a weakening of the blood-brain barrier is NOT a typical change associated with aging. In fact, the aging process commonly leads to a decrease in brain blood flow, alongside other documented structural and functional declines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The option that would NOT be an example of a structural or functional change associated with aging is 'an increase in brain blood flow' due to a weakening of the blood-brain barrier as a function of aging. The aging brain typically experiences a reduction in blood flow, not an increase. Changes such as a decrease in the volume of the cerebral cortex, a loss of synaptic connections due to a decrease in neurotransmitter production, and loss of secondary memory recall are all well-documented effects of aging on the brain.
With aging, several structural changes occur, such as the thinning of tissues, reduced elasticity, gray hair, and the loss of muscle tone. Similarly, functional changes include a decrease in the speed of nerve impulse transmission, along with a decline in thought clarity and memory. However, an increase in blood flow is atypical and is not considered a normal part of the aging process for the brain.