Investigating the neural underpinnings of word-finding problems across the lifespan
Web link: An interview with Dr Meredith Shafto
Aging involves a gradual loss of neural tissue (atrophy), and atrophy in a particular brain region can affect abilities that depend on that region. Although some abilities decline on average in old age, some older adults maintain good performance. The key to this “successful” ageing may be the brain's ability to flexibly find alternative ways to perform a task that overcome the effects of atrophy – a process called “neural compensation”. This study examines neural compensation in speaking and listening to language. We choose to examine language because while some aspects of language decline with age (such as remembering people's names), not all older adults have problems, with some performing as well as younger adults. This study will use a combination of brain imaging techniques for measuring brain atrophy and activity to reveal whether older adults with preserved language abilities also show evidence of neural compensation.
Professor Lorraine Tyler, Cambridge University
12 months, £40,022
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