How we age can differ considerably, but more of it is in our hands than we often realise. To start with, we need to get to know ourselves better, learn how to rely on the gist of information that is available as memory loss progresses, and develop an ability to turn off the situations that distract us. Scientifically, there is an emerging body of knowledge about modifiable risk factors for brain disorders, many of which are more prevalent in older age. There are also age-tech solutions to empower people to live the lives they choose.
Dr. Allison Sekuler – Paweł Świeboda’s guest on this episode of NeuroCentury - is passionate about preventing, detecting and treating age-related sensory and cognitive decline. Her research was the first to show that older brains “rewire” themselves to compensate for functional changes. They form new connections, although naturally on a much smaller scale than before the age of 25. They also recruit new brain regions to fill the gaps.
Allison is Sandra A. Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Vice-President for Research at Baycrest Health Sciences. She holds faculty positions at University of Toronto and McMaster University. She also has scientific and industry collaborations across North America, the EU, and Asia, and is President and Chief Scientist at CABHI, Center for Ageing and Brain Health Innovation at Baycrest, a solution accelerator established in 2015 with funding of 124 million CAD. CABHI is a unique collaboration of health care organisations, science, industry, not-for-profit and government partners. The centre helps innovators get access to user groups, test and validate their projects.
Music can stretch our cognitive and sensory abilities. Allison plays the drums, has earned her Drum Professional Certificate, and she explains in the podcast why “drumming is the mother of all ageing interventions”.
Music for the NeuroCentury podcast is composed by Rafał Kulczycki
