The adaptive brain: aging and neurocognitive scaffolding
Denise C Park1, Patricia Reuter-Lorenz
1The Center for Brain Health, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75235, USA. denise@utdallas.edu
Annual Review of Psychology
|November 28, 2008
Summary
As people age, cognitive functions decline, but the brain surprisingly increases frontal activation. The scaffolding theory of aging and cognition (STAC) explains this as an adaptive compensation mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging is associated with declines in cognitive functions like memory and processing speed.
- Structural brain changes, including reduced size and white matter integrity, accompany cognitive aging.
- Functional imaging reveals increased prefrontal activation in older adults, despite cognitive declines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose the Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition (STAC).
- To explain the relationship between age-related cognitive declines and increased prefrontal activation.
- To present scaffolding as an adaptive compensatory mechanism in the aging brain.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing functional imaging studies on aging and cognition.
- Theoretical framework development based on observed neurocognitive changes.
- Integration of evidence on compensatory mechanisms across the lifespan.
Main Results:
- Increased prefrontal activation in older adults is interpreted as a marker of compensatory scaffolding.
- Scaffolding involves utilizing complementary neural circuits to achieve cognitive goals.
- This compensatory mechanism is protective of cognitive function in aging.
Conclusions:
- The Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition (STAC) offers an integrative model of cognitive aging.
- Scaffolding is an adaptive brain response to age-related neural challenges.
- Cognitive engagement, exercise, and reduced default network activity may enhance scaffolding ability.
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