Neural underpinnings of within-person variability in cognitive functioning
Stuart W S MacDonald1, Shu-Chen Li, Lars Bäckman
1Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. smacd@uvic.ca
Psychology and Aging
|December 23, 2009
Summary
Increased intraindividual variability (IIV) in cognitive performance is common in aging and certain disorders. This review links age-related IIV to neural factors, exploring how neuromodulatory deficits may impact brain function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Increased intraindividual variability (IIV) signifies within-person fluctuations in performance.
- IIV is prevalent in aging and disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.
- Previous research explored IIV's cognitive and biological significance and links to neuromodulation deficits in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical evidence connecting age-related increases in cognitive IIV to neural correlates.
- To synthesize findings across anatomical, functional, neuromodulatory, and genetic levels.
- To introduce computational theories explaining how neuromodulatory deficiencies affect neural noise and cognitive robustness.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of empirical studies on intraindividual variability and aging.
- Synthesis of findings related to neural correlates of IIV.
- Introduction of computational models of neural dynamics.
Main Results:
- Accumulating evidence links age-related IIV to neural correlates at multiple levels.
- Neuromodulatory deficiencies in aging may increase neuronal noise, reducing cognitive system robustness.
- Computational theories illustrate mechanisms linking neuromodulation to IIV.
Conclusions:
- Age-related cognitive variability is associated with neural factors.
- Neuromodulatory deficits are a key potential mechanism underlying increased IIV in aging.
- Further research is needed to address outstanding challenges in IIV.
More Related Videos
09:00Investigating the Function of Deep Cortical and Subcortical Structures Using Stereotactic Electroencephalography: Lessons from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Published on: April 15, 2015
09:38Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: November 14, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:17Cognitivism
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
01:30Biological Influences on Intelligence
Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter more...
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.