Training and Aging

 

Working memory is a key component to everyday life. However, it is subject to decay with age. We are interested in how memory is affected by aging and how we can counteract its physiological decline.

We therefore investigate the possibility to train and improve various cognitive abilities in both young and older healthy adults, with the ultimate aim to find the best approach to contrast cognitive aging. To do so, we use behavioural measures coupled with EEG indexes and online testing. We employ different training protocols to assess the underlying mechanisms responsible for working memory improvement.

 

Researchers involved:

Chiara Tagliabue, Greta Varesio, Sara Assecondi, Veronica Mazza

 

Selected publications:

  • Tagliabue, C.F., Assecondi, S., Cristoforetti, G., & Mazza, V. (2020). Learning by task repetition enhances object individuation and memorization in the elderly. Scientific Reports, 10, 19957.
  • Tagliabue, C.F., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2019). Does numerical similarity alter age-related distractibility in working memory? PLoS ONE, 14, e0222027.

 

Funding:

The study is part of the project "Strategie per migliorare la cognizione negli anziani" funded by Fondazione Caritro. The study is also part of RARE-Net, University of Trento.