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A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance

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Functional plasticity in cognitive aging: review and hypothesis.

P M Greenwood¹

¹George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, US. Pgreenw1@gmu.edu

Neuropsychology

|November 7, 2007

Summary

Cognitive aging involves brain adaptation, not just loss. Research suggests brain plasticity and reorganization in aging adults may compensate for age-related changes in brain structure.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Gerontology

Background:

The adult brain exhibits plasticity, adapting to experiences and training.
Cognitive aging involves both decline and compensatory adaptation.
Cortical changes, including atrophy, are observed in aging.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the potential of adult brain plasticity in cognitive aging.
To examine the relationship between cortical atrophy and brain activation in older adults.
To propose a hypothesis on how brain integrity loss drives functional reorganization.

Main Methods:

Literature review synthesizing behavioral and neuroimaging evidence.
Analysis of studies on cortical plasticity in healthy adults and aging.

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance

A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance

Published on: May 7, 2014

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment

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Published on: September 20, 2020

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

Examination of neuroimaging data showing regional brain changes in aging.

Main Results:

Prefrontal and parietal cortices consistently show shrinkage in adulthood.
These same regions exhibit increased activation in older adults.
Evidence suggests functional plasticity alters the trajectory of cognitive aging.

Conclusions:

Functional plasticity plays a key role in adapting to cognitive aging.
Losses in regional brain integrity may drive functional reorganization.
Changes in processing strategies are a predicted outcome of this reorganization.