Hwang, E. J.; Korde, S.; Han, Y.; Sambangi, J.; Lian, B.; Owusu-Ofori, A.; Diasamidze, M.; Wong, L. M.; Pickering, N.; Begin, S.

Aging can compromise decision-making and learning, potentially due to reduced exploratory behaviors crucial for novel problem-solving. We posit that invigorating exploration could mitigate these declines. Supporting this hypothesis, we found that older mice mirrored human aging, displaying less exploration and learning during decision-making, but optogenetic stimulation of their posterior parietal cortex boosted initial exploration, subsequently improving learning. Thus, enhancing exploration-driven learning could be a key to countering cognitive aging.