Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

Lecture classes with provision of bibliography regardigng the addressed themes, including studies for the Portuguese population. Skills training in critical analysis of reference bibliography and presentation of the results of current and thematic lines of investigation. Training on practical skills for assessing cognitive reserve.

Learning Outcomes

1. To know the epidemiological reality of aging and to understand inherent implications.

2. To understand the existence of different aging trajectories and the concept of Active Aging.

3. To learn about Active Aging promotion programs and main barriers and facilitators.

4. To know the concept of Cognitive Reserve, theoretical models, empirical tests and evaluation methods.

 

Skills to be acquired/Learning outcomes: 1. To demonstrate knowledge about aging trajectories, Active Aging and Cognitive Reserve. 2. To demonstrate ability of analyzing barriers and facilitators of Active Aging and the main factors promoting Cognitive Reserve. 3. To demonstrate Cognitive Reserve assessment skills. 4. To know and critically analyze the current research topics in this area.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Epidemiological data on population and demographic aging, estimates and future projections, and individual, family, social and political-economic implications.

2. Aging trajectories.

3. Definition, characterization and contextualization of the concept of Active Aging.

3.1. Comparative analysis with the concepts of: Quality of life; Well-being; Successful aging.

4. Active Aging Promotion Programs.

5. Barriers and facilitators of Active Aging.

6. Cognitive Reserve: historical background. Complementarity and conceptual differentiation: Cognitive Reserve, Cerebral Reserve, Cerebral Plasticity, Pre-morbid Intelligence. Neuroimaging correlates.

7. Main theoretical models of Cognitive Reserve.

8. Empirical evidence: Analysis of epidemiological and longitudinal cohort studies to assess the impact of the Cognitive Reserve on the trajectories of cognitive aging.

9. Cognitive Reserve assessment methods.

Head Lecturer(s)

Margarida Maria Batista Mendes Pedroso Lima

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Frequency: 50.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Canhão, H., Branco, J. C., & Liotta, G. (2019). Active aging and disease management. Lausanne: Frontiers in Medicine, Frontiers Media SA.

Deep, C. A. & Jeste, D. V. (2010). Successful cognitive and emotional aging. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Evans, I. (2019). Social connections, cognitive reserve and cognitive function in later life. Exeter: University of Exeter.

Paúl, C. & Ribeiro, O. (2012). Envelhecimento ativo. Porto: Lidel.

Petrosini, L. (Ed.) (2017). Neurobiological and psychological aspects of brain recovery. New York: Springer.

Stern, Y. (2007). Cognitive Reserve: Theory and applications. New York: Taylor and Francis.

World Healthy Organization (2002). Active Ageing: A policy framework. Geneva: World Healthy Organization (WHO).

World Healthy Organization (2017). World report on ageing and health. Geneva: World Healthy Organization (WHO).