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4 - Neuroadaptive Trajectories of Healthy Mindspan: From Genes to Neural Networks

from Part I - Models of Cognitive Aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2020

By
Peter R. Rapp ,
Cristina Bañuelos  and
Craig Myrum
Edited by
Ayanna K. Thomas  and
Angela Gutchess
Ayanna K. Thomas
Affiliation:
Tufts University, Massachusetts
Angela Gutchess
Affiliation:
Brandeis University, Massachusetts
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Summary

Decline and deterioration are prominent features of cognitive aging. Against this background, successful cognitive aging is usually conceptualized as buffering, protecting against, or compensating for disrupted neural integrity in the aged brain. Here we review evidence for a parallel dynamic, comprising a life course trajectory of neuroadaptive plasticity, extending from gene expression to cognitive organization. The encouraging implication is that, alongside the search for treatments that target mechanisms of decline, designing interventions to promote neuroadaptive aging may be a feasible alternative.

Keywords

Arcepigeneticsgene expressionglutamate receptorshippocampusindividual variabilitylong-term depressionlong-term potentiationneurocognitive agingprefrontal cortex
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Cognitive Aging
A Life Course Perspective
 , pp. 62 - 81
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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