Research subject
Neural mechanisms underlying the age-dependent changes of human memory in social contexts
Research outline
This planned research aims to explain the age-dependent changes in human memory by the perspective of how the neural mechanism in elderly people changes by plasticity in the interaction with the external environment, such as social relationships with others and lifestyles, and with the internal environment, such as physical conditions and emotions. To achieve these purposes, we employ cognitive and social neuroscience approaches that investigate neural activities and structural changes in young and older adults by using multiple neuroimaging methods. In addition, to clarify the functional validity of findings obtained from neuroimaging techniques, we investigate characteristics of the decreased functions associated with the interaction between memory and environment by neuropsychological approaches in patients with neurological disorders. On the basis of these findings from our research, we clarify the neural mechanisms of memory function in elderly people by a view of plasticity in the interaction with the environment. Using our research findings, we provide scientific evidence about the potential in elderly people, who is able to learn new knowledge and skills, and then show one of future directions about the novel understanding of aging and aging brain in human memory. (A02 Principal investigator: Takashi Tsukiura)
Members
- Principal investigator：
- Takashi Tsukiura, Professor, Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University
- Co-investigator:
- Peaksoon Park, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University
- Ryuhei Ueda, Assistant Professor, Institute for the Future of Human Society, Kyoto University
- Collaborator：
- Toshiya Murai, Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
- Keita Ueda, Professor, Kyoto Koka Women’s University
