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SUMMARY:Set to change? Lifespan factors influencing neurocognitive traject
 ories and plasticity - Professor Kristine Beate Walhovd\, Professor of Neu
 ropsychology\, University of Oslo
DTSTART:20190208T163000Z
DTEND:20190208T173000Z
UID:TALK116131@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Louise White
DESCRIPTION:Are we set to change neurocognitively in certain ways? In this
  presentation\, I use magnetic resonance imaging\, standardized and experi
 mental cognitive and registry data to show how individual differences in n
 eurocognitive change and plasticity are influenced by factors through the 
 lifespan. A challenge is now to identify the impact of factors at differen
 t life stages\, including early life factors\, on later neurocognitive cha
 nges and plasticity. Example influences discussed include prenatal environ
 ment\, genetics and lifestyle variables. Taking factors present at birth i
 nto account may further understanding of both the mechanisms at work early
  in life\, and what and how residual variance may be affected by late-life
  factors. \n\nMy research is targeted at understanding the mechanisms unde
 rlying change in brain and cognition\, and whether and how we ourselves ca
 n initiate\, enhance or slow them. Together with colleagues\, I am trying 
 to uncover markers and mechanisms underlying differences and changes in br
 ain and cognitive behavior throughout the lifespan. In this effort\, we’
 re studying persons ranging in age from 0 to 100 years. We have mostly foc
 used on understanding normal cognition and brain-behavior relationships th
 roughout the human lifespan\, and are also involved in patient studies\, f
 or instance on memory deficits\, Alzheimer disease\, and drug exposure in 
 utero. Together with professors René Westerhausen and Anders M. Fjell\, I
  head the Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition\, where we ar
 e currently following more than 1000 persons spanning different life stage
 s. For each person\, we conduct multiple follow-ups with Magnetic Resonanc
 e Imaging and cognitive experimental as well as standardized tests\, and\,
  tracking changes in brain and cognition. While we target normal variation
 \, I also conduct experimental interventions with cognitive training\, aim
 ed at identified factors that restrict and promote plasticity at varying a
 ges. A research interest is development of methodological designs to measu
 re and disentangle influences at different life stages on later brain and 
 cognitive characteristics.  \n
LOCATION:Ground Floor Lecture Theatre\, Department of Psychology
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