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. 2020 May 12:12:114.
doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00114. eCollection 2020.

Time for a Systems Biological Approach to Cognitive Aging?-A Critical Review

Deena Ebaid  1 , Sheila G Crewther  1
Affiliations

Time for a Systems Biological Approach to Cognitive Aging?-A Critical Review

Deena Ebaid et al. Front Aging Neurosci. .

Abstract

The underlying premise of current theories of cognitive decline with age tend to be primarily cognitive or biological explanations, with relatively few theories adequately integrating both aspects. Though literature has also emphasized the importance of several factors that contribute to cognitive aging including: (a) decline in sensory abilities; (b) the effect of motor speed on paper-pencil measures of cognitive speed; (c) the impact of level of education and physical activity; and (d) molecular biological changes that occur with age, these factors have seldom been implicated into any single theoretical model of cognitive aging. Indeed, such an integrated bio-cognitive model of aging has the potential to provide a more comprehensive understanding of attention, perception, learning, and memory across the lifespan. Thus, the aim of this review was to critically evaluate common theories of age-related cognitive decline and highlight the need for a more comprehensive systems neuroscience approach to cognitive aging.

Keywords: biological aging; cardiovascular health; cognitive aging; cognitive decline; systems neuroscience; theories of aging.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Current theories suggesting an interaction between sensory system decline and impaired cognitive performance. Note that the premises behind these theories share substantial overlap.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A systems biological viewpoint of cognitive aging.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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