Linking cognitive aging to alterations in dopamine neurotransmitter functioning : Recent data and future avenues

• Molecular-imaging studies of dopaminergic neurotransmission measure biomarkers of dopamine (DA), such as the DA transporter and D(1) and D(2) receptor densities in the living brain. These studies indicate that individual differences in DA functions are linked to cognitive performance irrespective of age, and serve as powerful mediators of age-related decline in executive functioning, episodic memory, and perceptual speed. This focused review targets several recent findings pertaining to these relationships. Specifically, we discuss novel evidence concerning (a) the role of DA in within-person cognitive variability; (b) age-related differences in DA release during cognitive processing; (c) DA release following cognitive training in younger and older adults; and (d) the relationship between DA and task-induced functional brain activity. Based on these lines of empirical inquiry, we outline a series of avenues for future research on aging, DA, and cognition.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Etologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Behavioural Sciences Biology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Aging

Cognition

Dopamine

Processing fluctuations

Multimodal imaging

Striatum

Working-memory training

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

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