The primary focus of the Language and Aging Lab is to investigate the ways in which language processing differs between younger and older adults at both the behavioral and neural level.  Past research has demonstrated that while language comprehension is generally well-maintained with increasing age, older adults often experience declines in language production abilities, which can be characterized by slower speech rates, slower and less accurate object naming, and increased frequency of tip-of-the-tongue states.  Many of the current projects in our lab seek to more fully explore age differences in language production. To better understand these issues, we conduct extensive behavioral and neuropsychological assessments across a range of cognitive functions including language production. These cognitive measures can then be paired with 3 kinds of neuroimaging data: functional MRI data which examines how the brain works while performing a task, such as picture naming; resting-state MRI data which examines how the brain works while participants are alert, but not engaged in an explicit task; and structural MRI data which examines how brain structure varies across the lifespan. This approach helps us to better understand the factors that may contribute to age-related production deficits.

Language Processing, Age Differences, Behavioral Assessments, Neural Mechanisms, Language Comprehension, Language Production, Speech Rates, Object Naming, Tip-of-the-Tongue States, Neuropsychological Assessments, Cognitive Functions, Functional MRI, Resting-State MRI, Structural MRI, Age-Related Deficits