Research - Dr. Andrea Drumheller
Lateralization of Function:
Age-Related Reduction in Hemispheric Asymmetry
Andrea Drumheller
Department of Psychology
Currently, Dr. Drumheller, in collaboration with Dr. Bacon, is investigating visuo-spatial processing in older adults. It is well established that certain cognitive processes such as language, episodic/semantic memory and visuo-spatial functions are largely lateralized in one hemisphere of the brain. However, recent evidence suggests that the brains of high-performing older adults may show less hemispheric asymmetry compared to young adults and low-performing older adults. This reduction in lateralization is believed to be linked to compensatory mechanisms that help to counteract age-related declines in cognitive performance. Using a lateralized Stroop task, Dr. Drumheller intends to confirm that high-performing older adults indeed show less hemispheric asymmetry in the visuo-spatial domain and to map the developmental curve of these effects.
