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Successful Cognitive Aging

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Book cover Behavioral Neurobiology of Aging

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 10))

Abstract

Given the rapid rate of population aging, basic science and public health efforts have increasingly focused on the determinants of successful cognitive aging. In this chapter, we review the definition and biological, psychological, and environmental determinants of cognitive health in later life. Successful cognitive aging is a multi-dimensional construct that lacks a consensus operationalized definition, and has been variously conceptualized in an ipsative, normative, or criterion-referenced manner. Nevertheless, there are a number of biomarkers, at the genetic and cellular level, that provide indicators of cognitive health in aging. Functional and structural neuroimaging suggest multiple pathways to successful cognitive aging, by way of brain reserve and cognitive reserve. A number of behavioral and environmental interventions, including dietary restriction, physical activity, and cognitive stimulation, are promising avenues for extending the cognitive healthspan associated with normal aging. Thus, there is a variety of recent findings providing optimism that successful cognitive aging, howsoever defined, will be attainable by more older adults in the future.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, San Diego, USA

    Colin A. Depp & Ipsit V. Vahia

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA

    Colin A. Depp & Ipsit V. Vahia

  3. Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, CA, US

    Alexandria Harmell

Authors
  1. Colin A. Depp
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  2. Alexandria Harmell
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  3. Ipsit V. Vahia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Colin A. Depp .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biomedical Sciences, Inst. Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom

    Marie-Christine Pardon

  2. Div. Geriatric Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive 9500, La Jolla, 92093-0603, California, USA

    Mark W. Bondi

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Depp, C.A., Harmell, A., Vahia, I.V. (2011). Successful Cognitive Aging. In: Pardon, MC., Bondi, M. (eds) Behavioral Neurobiology of Aging. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 10. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2011_158

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