Memory and the ageing brain, what changes and what we can do
Memory is crucial to shape who we are, yet it declines with advancing age. In this talk, we will explore how memories are formed and consolidated, particularly during sleep and periods of rest. I will present findings from young and older adults, shedding light on how sleep and brain networks evolve with age. I will also discuss the concept of cognitive reserve, why some individuals maintain better memory despite aging, and whether it can help compensate for neural changes. Finally, I will dive into some non-invasive interventions and examine their potential to support memory in aging.
Talk by
Alison Mary
Dr. Alison Mary is a researcher specializing in memory and its cerebral underpinnings, with a particular focus on functional connectivity and resting-state networks. She earned her PhD in January 2016 at UR2nF/CRCN under the supervision of Professor Philippe Peigneux, where she investigated the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying learning and memory consolidation in healthy ageing using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG).
From 2016 to 2019, Dr. Alison Mary completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the U1077 Unit (Neuropsychology and Imaging of Human Memory – NIMH) in Caen, France, under the supervision of Dr. Pierre Gagnepain and within the team led by Professor Francis Eustache. Her research focused on identifying structural and functional neurobiological markers of resilience in individuals exposed to the November 13, 2015 Paris terrorist attacks.
In 2019, she returned to UR2nF/CRCN with a postdoctoral fellowship from the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS). Since October 2023, she has been serving as an FNRS Research Associate. Her current research explores innovative non-pharmacological stimulation strategies to better understand and support the preservation of memory processes in healthy ageing.
