Normal aging is associated with progressive functional losses in
perception, cognition, and memory. Although the root causes of
age-related cognitive decline are incompletely understood, psychophysical
and neuropsychological evidence suggests that a significant
contribution stems from poorer signal-to-noise conditions
and down-regulated neuromodulatory system function in older
brains. Because the brain retains a lifelong capacity for plasticity
and adaptive reorganization, dimensions of negative reorganization
should be at least partially reversible through the use of an
appropriately designed training program. We report here results
from such a training program targeting age-related cognitive
decline. Data from a randomized, controlled trial using standardized
measures of neuropsychological function as outcomes are
presented. Significant improvements in assessments directly related
to the training tasks and significant generalization of improvements
to nonrelated standardized neuropsychological measures
of memory (effect size of 0.25) were documented in the
group using the training program. Memory enhancement appeared
to be sustained after a 3-month no-contact follow-up
period. Matched active control and no-contact control groups
showed no significant change in memory function after training or
at the 3-month follow-up. This study demonstrates that intensive,
plasticity-engaging training can result in an enhancement of cognitive
function in normal mature adults.