Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

BACKGROUND: With the growth in elderly populations worldwide, there is a pressing need to understand how the brain changes as we age. Research findings have demonstrated significant individual differences in the aging process, both physically and mentally. We know that cognition, or 'mental thinking' (e.g., learning, memory, problem solving, organizing, abstract reasoning), does not necessarily decline with age. In fact, we can maintain our cognitive abilities and learn new skills. Cognitive plasticity, or 'mental adaptation', is a research concept that evaluates how much a person can modify, adapt, and change the way they think to solve a problem. Vascular risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure/cholesterol, diabetes, smoking) are powerful biological determinants of brain functioning, particularly in older adults. The challenge now lies in the discovery of how an individual's physical health (i.e., vascular risk factors) interacts with their cognitive functioning (i.e., cognitive plasticity) to ultimately determine outcomes of aging processes. PROPOSED STUDY: Project MIND is a 6-year study (2001-2007) of 304 older adults (average=74yrs). The study measures cognitive status (e.g., memory, attention, problem solving), everyday functional abilities (e.g., preparing a meal, organizing finances), and physical health (e.g., medical conditions, medication use). Using advanced statistical analysis techniques, I will examine the data to identify biological and cognitive factors involved in aging processes. HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Identifying factors responsible for successful aging will facilitate the development of preventive strategies (e.g., public health initiatives, therapeutic treatments, educational programs). Additionally, assessment of cognitive plasticity represents an important, cost-effective, user-friendly, diagnostic tool for the early identification of individuals at risk for cognitive impairment and progression to dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease).