Neurocognitive aging: Deficits and compensation

One important challenge in aging research is to describe and understand age-related modifications of cognitive abilities and underlying neural mechanisms. This paper aims to show that, although aging is associated with cognitive and brain impairments, current approaches tend to question this strictly deficit-based view of neurocognitive aging. Indeed, the aging brain also has an important potential for plasticity, allowing it to cope with age-related deficits. We describe here works showing a reorganization of cognitive functioning that may be positive and adaptive. This cognitive reorganization is also associated with changes in neural organization, reflecting neuroplasticity mechanisms that may help older adults compensate for their deficits. The dynamic conception of aging is summarized in recent theoretical models that provide an integrative view of neurocognitive aging.