Four research lines
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Research line 1 (‘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 www-np.unimaas.nl/maas/). This is a large scale cross-sectional-longitudinal study involving more than 1900 subjects. The study has just finalized its 12 year followup. Both medical, neuropsychological, psycho-social and socio-demographic variables are investigated. Studies into protective factors and riscfactors are performed: cardiovascular, medical, nutritional functions or psychosocial factors (education, socioeconomic status, sex/gender). Neuroimaging studies evaluate mechanisms underlying age-related deterioration of function as well as individual differences in neurocognitive performance. Special interest is given to Lifelong Learning, especially in educators. Research line 2 (‘Cognitive development’) Similar large scale crosssectional-longitudinal studies are performed into brain-cognition relationships in children, adolescents and young adults. Jolles is co-founder of the largescale COOS study (Cognitive Onderzoek in Schoolgaande kinderen) and the Study of Attentional Disorders Maastricht (SAM) involving thousands of children and adolescents studied crosssectionally and longitudinally. 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. An important research line into ‘evidence based interventions in the schoolsetting’ has started in 2007 in Maastricht with the start of the Centre for Brain & Learning. This line is now extended at the Centre for Brain & Learning Amsterdam, started in 2009. There are formal collaborations with schools for Primary Education, schools for Secondary Education and schools for Vocational Training, and Universities for Scientific training and higher Vocational Training). Both neuropsychological studies, educational studies and neuroimaging studies are performed. Research line 3 (‘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 has been 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, adolesents and adults 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 4 (‘Biopsychological mechanisms’) investigates cognitive performance and the brain mechanisms involved in models of cognitive function and dysfunction. Through the years, several experimental 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. Focus for the next years lies upon adolescents, young adults (young teachers) and middleaged adults (teachers). |
