Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Challenges and opportunities for characterizing cognitive aging across species
Erik D Roberson1, R Anthony Defazio, Carol A Barnes
1Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|September 19, 2012
Summary
Cognitive aging, the decline in thinking skills with age, needs more research. Studying it across humans and animal models offers the best path forward for understanding and potential prevention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive decline with age is a significant concern, even without diagnosed brain disease.
- The mechanisms underlying cognitive aging are poorly understood, with limited effective prevention strategies.
- There is a critical need for more research into cognitive aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore challenges and opportunities in studying cognitive aging across species.
- To identify age-sensitive cognitive domains suitable for parallel testing in humans and animals.
- To discuss the translation of findings between human and animal models.
Main Methods:
- Identifying age-sensitive cognitive domains: associative memory, recognition memory, spatial/contextual memory, working memory, and executive function.
- Reviewing challenges and opportunities in using animal models for cognitive aging research.
- Examining unique opportunities in human studies, including large-scale lifespan initiatives.
Main Results:
- Specific cognitive domains (memory, executive function) are identified as key areas for cross-species study.
- Challenges in animal model cognitive testing are summarized.
- Opportunities and challenges in human cognitive aging research are highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Parallel testing in humans and animal models is crucial for advancing cognitive aging research.
- Further investigation into specific cognitive domains across species is warranted.
- Addressing challenges in both human and animal studies will facilitate progress in understanding and mitigating cognitive aging.
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