Cognitive training and plasticity: theoretical perspective and methodological consequences.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of cognitive plasticity concepts and findings from a lifespan developmental perspective.


METHODS
After an evaluation of the general concept of cognitive plasticity, the most important approaches to study behavioral and brain plasticity are reviewed. This includes intervention studies, experimental approaches, cognitive trainings, the study of facilitating factors for strategy learning and strategy use, practice, and person-environment interactions. Transfer and durability of training-induced plasticity is discussed.


RESULTS
The review indicates that methodological and conceptual advances are needed to improve the match between levels of behavioral and brain plasticity targeted in current developmental research and study designs.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the emphasis of plasticity studies on treatment effectiveness needs to be complemented by a strong commitment to the grounding of the intervention in a conceptual framework.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. oldage@u.washington.edu
Sherry L
SL
Willis
K Warner
KW
Schaie
D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D014163:Transfer, Psychology