The relationship between cognitive reserve and neuroplasticity in older adults
Date
2020
Authors
Astley, Jack
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Thesis
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Background: Cognitive Reserve (CR) is suggested to explain the difference between
the expected impact of levels of age-related neuropathology and the real deficits which people
experience. Neuroplasticity is speculated to be the neurophysiological mechanism underlying
the cognition-protective effects of CR; however, this has not previously been experimentally
demonstrated. Aim: To identify whether neuroplasticity mediates the relationship between CR
and cognitive ability. Method: 23 healthy older adults participated in this study, which
comprised 3 brain stimulation sessions: (1) continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) applied
to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, (2) cTBS applied to left motor cortex, and (3) a sham
session. Resting electroencephalography (EEG) was used to calculate change in the aperiodic
slope of neural power spectra (a novel measure of neuroplasticity) following cTBS.
Participants were also assessed with measures of CR (lifetime of experiences; crystallised
intelligence) and cognitive ability (fluid intelligence; paired associates learning). Results: We
induced a neuroplasticity-like effect in both of the active cTBS conditions. This was not
observed in the sham condition. We did not observe a significant relationship between
neuroplasticity and CR or cognitive ability. This meant mediational analysis was not justified.
Conclusions: We successfully demonstrated that analysis of the aperiodic slope is an effective
means of identifying neuroplasticity with EEG. While we did not identify a significant
relationship between our neuroplasticity measure and CR, we recommend further studies
investigate other forms of neuroplasticity. Continued investigation of the neurophysiology
underlying CR may facilitate the development of early interventions which could reduce the
prevalence of age-related cognitive impairment.
School/Discipline
School of Psychology
Dissertation Note
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
Provenance
This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses.
Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the author of this thesis and do not wish it to be made publicly available, or you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
Description
This item is only available electronically.