title: Brain plasticity and motor practice in cognitive aging.
abstract: For more than two decades, there have been extensive studies of experience-based neural plasticity exploring effective applications of brain plasticity for cognitive and motor development. Research suggests that human brains continuously undergo structural reorganization and functional changes in response to stimulations or training. From a developmental point of view, the assumption of lifespan brain plasticity has been extended to older adults in terms of the benefits of cognitive training and physical therapy. To summarize recent developments, first, we introduce the concept of neural plasticity from a developmental perspective. Secondly, we note that motor learning often refers to deliberate practice and the resulting performance enhancement and adaptability. We discuss the close interplay between neural plasticity, motor learning and cognitive aging. Thirdly, we review research on motor skill acquisition in older adults with, and without, impairments relative to aging-related cognitive decline. Finally, to enhance future research and application, we highlight the implications of neural plasticity in skills learning and cognitive rehabilitation for the aging population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Liuyang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: John S Y
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University Beijing, China ; Institute of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Shenzhen University Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Jin H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Kaiping
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peng
keywords: cognitive development; geriatric rehabilitation; motor performance; movement-dependent neural plasticity; skill acquisition