Neuromodulation and aging: implications of aging neuronal gain control on cognition

摘要: The efficacy of various transmitter systems declines with advancing age. Of particular interest, pre-synaptic and post-synaptic components the dopaminergic system change across human lifespan; impairments in these play important roles cognitive deficits commonly observed elderly. Here, we review evidence from recent multimodal neuroimaging, pharmacological genetic studies that have provided new insights for associations among dopamine functions, aging, functional brain activations behavioral performance key ranging working memory episodic to goal-directed learning decision making. Specifically, discuss empirical findings context an established neurocomputational theory aging neuronal gain control. We also highlight gaps current understanding neuromodulation functions suggest avenues future research.