What I am reading .....

Two slightly contrdictory reports on whether being bilingual may be beneficial in ageing. Good news from the American Psychological Association and slightly more skeptical from the British Psychological Society.

Scientists at Reading University show that drinking champagne improves memory (in older rats).

A Brain At Rest? Thoughts and Feelings in the “Resting State" - and what is "rest"?

Dr Rebecca Charlton (Lab Director)

Rebecca is a Reader (Associate Professor) in the Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths University of London.

Rebecca's research focuses on age-related conditions and falls into three areas: Typical Ageing, Depression, and Ageing in Developmental Disorders.

Using cognitive and neuroimaging methods, Rebecca examines the relationship between cognitive decline and changes in the brain. She also explores how low mood among older adults interacts with cognitive changes in ageing and methods by which mood can be elevated.

Rebecca also explores ageing across developmental disorders, in particular how individuals' with Autism Spectrum Disorders will be affected by age-related brain, cognitive or social changes.

Email: r.charlton@gold.ac.uk

Recent Publications

Zivrali Yarar, E.; Howlin, P.; Charlton, R.A.; Happé, F.G. Age-related Effects on Social Cognition in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Possible Protective Effect on Theory of Mind (2021) Autism Research, 14, 911-920. 

Stewart, G.R.; Corbett, A.; Ballard, C.; Creese, B.; Aarsland, D.; Hampshire, A.; *Charlton, R.A.; Happé, F.G. The mental and physical health profile of older adults who endorse elevated autistic socio-communicative traits (2021) Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 76, 1726-1737 (*Co-Principle Investigator). 

Stewart, G.R.; Corbett, A.; Ballard, C.; Creese, B.; Aarsland, D.; Hampshire, A.; *Charlton, R.A.; Happé, F.G. Sleep problems and mental health difficulties in older adults who endorse high autistic traits (2020) Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 77, 101633. (*Co-Principle Investigator).

Chapman, S.; Cosentino, S.; Igwe, K.; Abdurahman, A.; Elkind, M. S. V.; Brickman, A.; Charlton, R.A.; Cocchini, G. Mnemonic monitoring in anosognosia for memory loss (2020) Neuropsychology, 34, 675-685.

Stewart, G.R.; Corbett, A.; Ballard, C.; Creese, B.; Aarsland, D.; Hampshire, A.; *Charlton, R.A.; Happé, F.G. The mental and physical health of older adults with a genetic predisposition for autism (2020) Autism Research, 13, 641-654. (*Co-Principle Investigator)

...click here for a more comprehensive list.