Curiosity in old age: A possible key to achieving adaptive aging

Michiko Sakaki; Ayano Yagi; Kou Murayama

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.007

Curiosity in old age: A possible key to achieving adaptive aging

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018 May:88:106-116. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.007. Epub 2018 Mar 12.

Authors

Michiko Sakaki¹, Ayano Yagi², Kou Murayama³

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Harry Pitt Building, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, RG6 7BE, Reading, UK; Kochi University of Technology, 185 Miyanokuchi, Tosayamada, Kami City, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan. Electronic address: m.sakaki@reading.ac.uk.
² Kochi University of Technology, 185 Miyanokuchi, Tosayamada, Kami City, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan.
³ School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Harry Pitt Building, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, RG6 7BE, Reading, UK; Kochi University of Technology, 185 Miyanokuchi, Tosayamada, Kami City, Kochi, 782-8502, Japan.

PMID: 29545165
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.007

Abstract

Curiosity is a fundamental part of human motivation that supports a variety of human intellectual behaviors ranging from early learning in children to scientific discovery. However, there has been little attention paid to the role of curiosity in aging populations. By bringing together broad but sparse neuroscientific and psychological literature on curiosity and related concepts (e.g., novelty seeking in older adults), we propose that curiosity, although it declines with age, plays an important role in maintaining cognitive function, mental health, and physical health in older adults. We identify the dopaminergic reward system and the noradrenergic system as the key brain systems implicated in curiosity processing and discuss how these brain systems contribute to the relationship between curiosity and adaptive aging.

Keywords: Aging; Cognitive preservation; Curiosity; Dopamine; Locus coeruleus; Openness to experience.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Aging*
Attention / physiology*
Cognition / physiology*
Exploratory Behavior / physiology*
Humans
Learning / physiology*
Reward