This project inves­ti­gates how mecha­nisms of learn­ing and brain plastic­ity differ between young and older adults using Visual Percep­tual Learn­ing (VPL) as a model.

VPL refers to an improve­ment in a visual skill with repeated visual experi­ence or train­ing. VPL will be studied using behav­ioral train­ing proto­cols combined with techniques such as eye-track­ing, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

The project will explore the roles of neuro­mod­u­la­tors in VPL and test whether specific train­ing proce­dures can enhance VPL in older adults. By identi­fy­ing age-related differ­ences in brain plastic­ity, as exempli­fied by VPL, the project aims to deepen our under­stand­ing of learn­ing across the lifes­pan and will pave the way for neuro­science-based approaches to promote healthy aging.

How do young and older adults differ in their capac­ity for learn­ing and adaptation?

This disser­ta­tion project examines age-related differ­ences in learn­ing and brain plastic­ity, focus­ing on visual percep­tual learn­ing (VPL), a process through which visual skills improve with repeated visual experi­ence or train­ing. The study employs a multi­dis­ci­pli­nary approach, combin­ing behav­ioral train­ing with advanced method­olo­gies like eye-track­ing, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to analyze neuro­mod­u­la­tory processes involved in VPL.

The project consists of three subpro­jects. The first subpro­ject explores the roles of neuro­mod­u­la­tors criti­cal to synap­tic plastic­ity in VPL of young adults and aims to uncover mecha­nisms under­ly­ing faster
or enhanced learn­ing in young adults. The second and third subpro­jects extend this inves­ti­ga­tion to older adults. We want to find out whether learn­ing and plastic­ity, as exempli­fied by VPL, can be facil­i­tated in older adults using both train­ing and imaging-based approaches.

This compre­hen­sive research will provide insights into mecha­nisms involved in learn­ing and brain plastic­ity across the lifes­pan, with poten­tial impli­ca­tions for improv­ing cogni­tive health and adapt­abil­ity in aging populations.