Neuropsychology and Cognition in Aging

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): It is recognized that cognitive changes may occur in aging, ranging from subtle alterations to frank dementia. Detecting and characterizing these cognitive changes, as well as understanding their physiologic basis, diagnostic implication and functional correlates has been a major and growing research domain. Neuropsychology and cognitive psychology clearly play a major role in this research. We have established a 2 to 3-year training program designed to give the trainee a solid research background in the cognition and neuropsychology of aging. The trainee is exposed to and participates in studies utilizing a broad range of interrelated research approaches, including classic neuropsyehological evaluation, experimental cognitive techniques, neuroepidemiology, and cognitive neuroimaging. The primary emphasis is on fostering the skills needed to formulate and carry out research, and to report findings in peer-reviewed journals. Primary training comes through the trainee-preceptor relationship. Formal classes and seminars plus opportunities for more informal training are available. Trainees are encouraged to avail themselves of the expertise of the entire program faculty. While our goal is not to train clinicians, we include some clinical training because this area requires specialized clinical skills and much good research stems from astute clinical observation. The Cognitive Neuroscience Division at the Sergievsky Center and Tanb Institute is uniquely equipped to provide the proposed training. Its strengths include a wide range of faculties' expertise and ongoing research, diversity of patient and normal elderly populations available for research and clinical training, a strong emphasis on multicultural research, and expertise of faculty members available for consultation. A total of 5 trainees are currently receiving or have completed training. A sixth will be selected shortly. The original program worked with 2 trainees at any one time. We received a minority supplement to add a third trainee. We now propose to make this change permanent in order to work with 3 trainees at any one time.