Brain research: addressing a super-aged society

Addressing age-related decline of cognitive functions is crucial in a super-aged society. Although previous research has mainly focused on age-related changes of biological brain mechanisms, for human beings—social animals—it is also important to consider cognitive functions in social contexts. Our research has investigated how human memory functions are modulated by interaction between biological brain changes (e.g., aging, brain damage, neurodegeneration) and psychological processes (e.g., emotion, reward) in social contexts. To elucidate our research questions, we are using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological approaches. Based on scientific evidence, we would like to demonstrate that cognitive functions in the elderly can change positively in social contexts, and to propose a new life-course perspective that goes beyond the “aging equals decline” framework.

URL

https://youtu.be/kaPaV4gkRJk(in Japanese)
https://www.lifelong-sci.jinkan.kyoto-u.ac.jp/(in Japanese)
https://kdb.iimc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/profile_private/en.6cd08c8220a4f370.html