title: The implications of age-related neurofunctional compensatory mechanisms in executive function and language processing including the new Temporal Hypothesis for Compensation.
abstract: As the passage of time structurally alters one's brain, cognition does not have to suffer the same faith, at least not to the same extent. Indeed, the existence of age-related compensatory mechanisms allow for some cognitive preservation. This paper attempts to coherently review the existing concepts of neurofunctional compensation when applied to two different cognitive domains, namely executive function and language processing. More precisely, we explore the Cognitive reserve (CR) model in healthy aging as well as its two underlying mechanisms: neural reserve and neural compensation. Furthermore, we review the Compensation-Related Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis as well as the Growing Of Life Differences Explains Normal Aging model. Finally, we propose, based on some functional neuroimaging studies, the existence of another compensatory mechanism characterized by age-related delayed cerebral activation allowing for cognitive performance to be preserved at the expense of speed processing: the Temporal Hypothesis for Compensation.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada ; Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal Montréal, QC, Canada ; Department of psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine of McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada ; Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Joanette
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada ; Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal Montréal, QC, Canada ; Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Hotchkiss Bran Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Oury
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Monchi
keywords: aging; cognition; execution; fMRI; language