‘Decline’ vs. ‘Plasticity’. Conflicting narratives in the dementia tsunami

The article discusses, both from a discourse analysis and a historical- epistemological views, two metaphorical models of the brain (“decline” and “plasticity”) that inform two polarised narratives about dementia. The more traditional, 'negative' narrative portrays dementia as terminal decline of brain functions leading to neuro-degeneration and decline of the whole individual. The more recent 'positive' narrative of plasticity describes dementia pointing to the brain’s capability of resilience, and motivates individuals to train the brain if they wish to halt their decline. Different scenarios are at play in these polarised views, and, accordingly, different potential risks and responsibilities from an ethical viewpoint.