Affiliations: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Sherry L. Willis, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle WA, 180 Nickerson,
Suite 206, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. E-mail: oldage@u.washington.edu
Abstract: Purpose. 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.
