SUCCESSFUL COGNITIVE AGING - COGNITIVE RESERVE AND NEUROPLASTICITY

Abstract

As people age they tend to experience changes in cognitive function. Cognitive exercise can allow the brain to remain active and dynamic even at a later age. The promotion of successful cognitive aging is a topic of great importance and a challenge to public health considering the growth and the aging of the world population. This article discusses three concepts - the concept of successful cognitive aging, cognitive reserve and neuroplasticity, and their relationship to the overall cognitive functioning of the elderly. The concept of the cognitive reserve explains the discrepancy between the degree of brain damage and the way the individual responds. Cognitive reserve is based on current brain activity which is formed by the experiences and the activities throughout life. Cognitive reserve theory corresponds with the studies of brain plasticity in the elderly and the fact that cognitive interventions can be useful during aging. The concept of brain plasticity or neuroplasticity is the foundation of all brain exercises or games and relates to the changes in the neuronal organization that can lead to behavioral changes and the development of compensatory mechanisms in older people with cognitive dysfunction due to aging or brain pathology. The model of cognitive plasticity in elderly people proposed by Lövden argues that cognitive interventions are effective when there is a mismatch between the cognitive ability of the individual and the difficulty level of the cognitive task. According to the concepts presented in this article, successful cognitive aging can be achieved by the elderly. The brain can continue to adapt and develop new abilities throughout life. The ability of the brain to reorganize and create new roads is at the key of cognitive learning - an instrument that can be used by health professionals to complement and support the improvement of therapeutic approaches. Research has shown that systemic brain training can potentially lead to the improvement of a number of cognitive skills.