Basic forms of cognitive plasticity extended into the oldest-old: Retest learning, age, and cognitive functioning

To address the question of whether cognitive plasticity varies by age and level of cognitive functioning in the older population, the authors used a self-guided retest paradigm to assess the basic forms of plasticity of 34 young-olds (M = 74.4 years, range = 70-79) and 34 oldest-olds (M = 84.0 years, range = 80-91), with half in each age group screened for high or low (midrange) level of cognitive functioning. As a whole, members of the sample represent about the upper two thirds of their age cohorts. Results show persistent, though age-reduced, learning in all samples and across all tests. However, age is not differentially kinder to the more able with respect to the age-graded decline in learning.