Normal Aging of the Brain between Neuroplasticity and Impairment of Cognitive Functions

Abstract

The concept of “successful aging” has become a key interest for researchers in general and neuro-cognitive psychologists in particular. They have tried to find a way to get elderly people to maintain a healthy, unimpaired life, especially after the steadily increase of people over 60 years on the global and Moroccan levels and the effects of aging in the decline of their cognitive abilities and its corresponding psychological sufferings, which might decrease the quality of their life. From this standpoint, this study aims to explore some possibilities by which a (healthy) individual can resist the aging factor and consequently enjoy a successful aging. In this sense, we bring into discussion scientific justifications based on brain imaging techniques to explain the characteristics of normal aging of the brain and the nature of its implications on the cognitive functions. On this basis, we could monitor the relationship between neurophysiological changes that occur in the brain and the decline that occurs in the various cognitive functions. To achieve this end, we will examine the relationship between a “destructive” factor (aging) that leads to a decline in people’s cognitive abilities and “restorative” factor that helps an individual resist the normal neuro-cognitive manifestations of aging. The matter is related to the concept of “neuroplasticity”, as an innate ability for adaption that enables the brain to reorganize itself to adapt to the surrounding variables. Such adoption is activated according to the external circumstances and stimuli. Therefore, the brain activation differs from one person to another. In this context, we will evoke the concept of cognitive “reserve” and its central role in explaining the aforementioned inter-individual differences. Key words: normal neurological aging, normal cognitive aging, brain, Neuroplasticity, reserve