About this Research Topic
Natural aging leads to changes in the brain and its cognitive functions, known as neurocognitive aging. As people age, they may experience a decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. This decline can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. On the other hand, some cognitive abilities, such as vocabulary and general knowledge, tend to remain stable or even improve with age. Furthermore, the extent of cognitive decline can vary widely between individuals, and there are various strategies that can be employed to slow down or mitigate the effects of neurocognitive aging and behavior, such as engaging in physical exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying mentally active.
There is a growing body of research on sex and gender differences in neurocognitive aging and behavior. While some differences exist, the literature is not always consistent. For example, although females are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, some evidence suggests that males may have a greater loss of brain volume with age, particularly in regions associated with memory and executive function. Sex differences may also exist in how the brain responds to stress and inflammation, which can impact brain aging. For example, females may be more vulnerable to stress-related changes in the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory. Recent studies have also linked women's risk for developing dementia to menopause and endocrine aging, which may further indicate a possible relationship between cognitive decline and sex hormones.
To advance our understanding of the complex interplay between sex, gender, hormones, and other factors in neurocognitive aging and behavior, we intend to showcase studies investigating neurocognitive disparities pertaining to sex and gender differences, as well biological mechanisms that are differentially regulated by sex hormones during the process of healthy brain-aging. Mechanistic studies using animal models are particularly encouraged. Additionally, research focusing on the development of new methodologies and therapeutic interventions for enhancing the neurocognition of older adults, with a focus on gender diversity, are also of great interest. Recent literature on minority stress and resilience also provides a potential avenue for investigating the relationship between gender and neurocognitive aging in older adults of diverse gender identities, including transgender individuals. In this Research Topic, we encourage authors from various subfields of neuroscience to submit Original research, Meta-Analysis, Perspective, and in-depth Review articles to contribute to this important area of study.
There is a growing body of research on sex and gender differences in neurocognitive aging and behavior. While some differences exist, the literature is not always consistent. For example, although females are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, some evidence suggests that males may have a greater loss of brain volume with age, particularly in regions associated with memory and executive function. Sex differences may also exist in how the brain responds to stress and inflammation, which can impact brain aging. For example, females may be more vulnerable to stress-related changes in the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory. Recent studies have also linked women's risk for developing dementia to menopause and endocrine aging, which may further indicate a possible relationship between cognitive decline and sex hormones.
To advance our understanding of the complex interplay between sex, gender, hormones, and other factors in neurocognitive aging and behavior, we intend to showcase studies investigating neurocognitive disparities pertaining to sex and gender differences, as well biological mechanisms that are differentially regulated by sex hormones during the process of healthy brain-aging. Mechanistic studies using animal models are particularly encouraged. Additionally, research focusing on the development of new methodologies and therapeutic interventions for enhancing the neurocognition of older adults, with a focus on gender diversity, are also of great interest. Recent literature on minority stress and resilience also provides a potential avenue for investigating the relationship between gender and neurocognitive aging in older adults of diverse gender identities, including transgender individuals. In this Research Topic, we encourage authors from various subfields of neuroscience to submit Original research, Meta-Analysis, Perspective, and in-depth Review articles to contribute to this important area of study.
Keywords: neurocognitive, aging, sex, gender, sex-differences, behavior
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