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Overview of activities
Research topics
The research topics studied under the supervision of Prof Jolles, are related to cognitive development and ageing in the spectrum from ‘successful’ to ‘normal’ and ‘pathological’ development. Accordingly, the research is performed in healthy subjects as well as in subjects with neuropsychiatric disease. Since the start of the research programme in 1986, 45 PhD students have finished their thesis under his supervision. There are 20 students who are presently working on a PhD project. The research has yielded 344 scientific papers in international journals with impact factor. The papers have been published in medium to high ranking journals in a multidisciplinary domain. Most notable are papers in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology (e.g. Neuroimage, Neuropsychology, Neuropsychologia, Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society/JINS), clinical neuroscience (e.g. Annals of Neurology), general medicine (e.g. Lancet, JAMA), psychiatry/clinical psychology (e.g. Archives of General Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, J.American Academy of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry/JAACAP), gerontology/geriatrics (e.g. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society/JAGS, Psychology & Aging, J.Gerontology), biomedical neuroscience (e.g. J.Neurochemistry) and general science (eg Nature).
The research programme is organised in three research lines (for further information, see http://www-np.unimaas.nl/department/div1_uk.html). The research questions transcend the borders of these research lines and are all related to one or more of the following topics: ‘risk/protective factors’, ‘neurocognitive performance’, ‘working memory/attentional processes/executive functioning’, ‘learning and promotion of learning’, ‘brain imaging (functional, structural)’, ‘prefrontal mechanisms’, ‘inhibition’, ‘drugs, nutritional factors and neurotransmitter mechanisms’. The majority of research topics has to do with the overall theme ‘Brain and learning’. Jolles has recently (May 2005) published a report for the Dutch Science Council/NWO and the ministry of Education, Culture and Science on this topic (for further information, see www.hersenenenleren.nl).
Research line 1 (‘Cognitive development and cognitive ageing’) is dedicated to the investigation of determinants of successful, normal and borderline cognitive functioning. Both children, adults and aged people are focus of the studies. Jolles is founder and director of the Maastricht Ageing Study (MAAS; for further information see http://www-np.unimaas.nl/maas/). This is a large scale cross-sectional-longitudinal study involving more than 1900 subjects. The study is presently preparing its 12 year followup. Both medical, neuropsychological, psycho-social and socio-demographic variables are investigated. Likewise, large scale crosssectional-longitudinal studies are performed into brain-cognition relationships in children. He is co-founder of the Study of Attentional Disorders Maastricht (SAM) which started in 1995 and involves cognition-brain relations in more than 1000 children who were originally 5 years old. Applied research is directed at development and evaluation of evidence-based interventions on the domain of ‘learning’ (e.g. ‘brain & learning’) and on memory functioning.
Research line 2 (‘Cognitive disorders’) investigates cognitive dysfunction and behavioural problems in patients. The Maastricht Memory Clinic has been set up by Jolles and colleagues in 1986 as a combined research/clinical facility for investigation of adults and aged people with complaints and/or dysfunctions. Focus is upon Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and Mild Cognitive Impairment. The Maastricht Learning Centre was started in 2000 for a similar purpose in children with learning disorder and/or ADHD. Strong focus lies upon the investigation of cognitive problems (complaints, objective dysfunction). Brain mechanisms as measured by brain imaging techniques as well as neuropsychological mechanisms are evaluated in children, adults and aged people. Applied research is directed at development and evaluation of neuropsychological interventions.
Research line 3 (‘Biopsychological mechanisms’) investigates cognitive performance and the brain mechanisms involved in models of cognitive function and dysfunction. Through the years, several animal models have been developed and used, especially on Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive dysfunction related to age. In addition, pre-clinical human models of cognitive function and dysfunction have been developed and used, especially in relation to the use of drugs (cognitive enhancers, hormones, precursors of monoamine neuro-transmitters and others). Cognitive neuroimaging studies are being performed which are directed at finding mechanisms underlying executive functions (e.g. shifting, impulse regulation) and prefrontal mechanisms. In addition, studies are performed into the effects of drugs and nutritional interventions on cognitive performance, and the mechanisms involved. |
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University and health care activities: Management and administration
Institute Brain & Behaviour
Research topics
Research and health care facilities
Education and clinical coaching
Other management activities
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