In this project we investigate the life course determinants and mechanisms that help to preserve well-being and health in old and very old age.

The project “Lifetime social adversity and the ageing brain” focusses on the impact of lifetime socio-economic status on age-related cognitive performance and brain health. It aims at creating and validating a generative model for the estimation and prediction of the relationship between lifetime social adversity and age-related cognitive decline.

European societies face rapid social changes, challenges and benefits, which can be studied with traditional tools of analysis, but with serious limitations. Owing to population ageing across Europe, countries are now experiencing the impact of these rapid changes on the sustainability of their welfare systems.

Ageing involves major changes, particularly in cognitive abilities and physical health. It is well established that processing speed and executive functions decline with advancing age during adulthood. Inhibition processing seems to have a particular influence in cognitive performance in a variety of cognitive domains. Falling is also a common event for older adults, which can result to serious consequences (e.g., hospitalization, loss of functional autonomy, injury-related death).