Human Neuroscience and the Aging Mind: A New Look at Old Problems

P. A. Reuter-Lorenz, D. C. Park
2010 The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences  
In this article, marking the 65th anniversary of the Journal of Gerontology, we offer a broad-brush overview of the new synthesis between neuroscientific and psychological approaches to cognitive aging. We provide a selective review of brain imaging studies and their relevance to mechanisms of cognitive aging first identified primarily from behavioral measurements. We also examine some new key discoveries, including evidence favoring plasticity and compensation that have emerged specifically
more » ... m using cognitive neuroscience methods to study healthy aging. We then summarize several recent neurocognitive theories of aging, including our own model-the Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition. We close by discussing some newly emerging trends and future research trajectories for investigating the aging mind and brain.
doi:10.1093/geronb/gbq035 pmid:20478901 pmcid:PMC2883872 fatcat:wpylitrjfvgntb3g5aonagimbe