In this online science of aging magazine, Naftali Raz, neuroscience researcher with the WSU Institute of Gerontology, is quoted in an article about why memory declines with age. One theory is that age distorts the alignment of stacks of neurons in the brain. Raz explains that in older brains the "dark side of plasticity," might be manifesting itself. Cells in certain pliable regions could be more likely to stray from their proper positions. He said the idea that "minute structural shifts can have severe consequences is very exciting."