My main expertise is 
Cognitive Aging

Cognitive Aging

For cognitive ageing,  I examine cognitive performance across the lifespan as well as in pathological aging. Part of my research focuses on brain morphological correlates of cognitive decline in both normal and pathologicalaging. Crucial questions I try to answer are which morphological changes are uniquely associated with cognitive aging and how cognitive and neuroanatomical changes independently predict functional independence. 

In addition, in my studies I examine the possibility of strategy use to enhance memory performance in aging, combining experimental studies in healthy aging with memory training studies in adults with (subjective) memory problems. I moreover examine the role of cognitive reserve in this, exploring how cognitive reserve influences aging as well as the beneficial effects of memory strategy use. 

Neurocognitive functions in aging

An important part of my work is focused on the question of which neurocognitive functions are associated with experimental pain experience and clinical pain report, primarily in aging. In order to study this, I employ a multi-dimensional approach, using experimental approaches combined with MRI and EEG in healthy younger and older volunteers, together with clinical pain studies in chronic pain patients and in older people with dementia. In these diverse studies, questions I target are how different cognitive functions are associated with the presence of pain and the experience of pain. Moreover, I am interested in how the underlying pathology of dementia subtypes is associated with potential changes in pain report and pain experience. I have also set up the first ‘pain in impaired cognition’ research group in the Netherlands, to create a strong national research network. Within this network, we combine expertise from the field of psychology, medicine and care to create a strong pain in cognitive impairment research group.

 

Research themePlasticity and Memory

Research group Cognitive Aging