Year: 2008
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Neurocomputational modeling has suggested that a range of mechanisms can lead to reductions in functional plasticity across development (Thomas & Johnson, 2006). In this paper, we consider whether ageing might also produce a reduction in plasticity. Marchman’s (1993) model of damage and recovery in past tense formation was extended to incorporate the two main proposals for implementing effects of ageing: altered neuromodulation and connection loss. Simulations showed that ageing did reduce plasticity (as assessed by the system’s ability to recover from damage) but that effects were modulated by (a) the mechanism used to implement ageing, (b) problem type, and (c) pre-existing levels of cognitive reserve.
Author: Michael S. C. Thomas
Institution: Birkbeck, University of London
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Medical Research Council
Award: G8661763244
OpenAlex ID: W1576849877