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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Daily functioning and prefrontal brain morphology in healthy and depressed community-dwelling elderly
Virginia Elderkin-Thompson1, Martina Ballmaier, Gerhard Hellemann
1Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Geriatric Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA. velderkin@mednet.ucla.edu
Summary
Brain structure impacts how older adults perceive their health and energy levels. Prefrontal gray and white matter volumes correlate with self-reported general health and energy, even in those with depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Emotional vitality, mood, physical activity, and social engagement are key indicators of health and longevity in older adults.
- The neural underpinnings of these self-perceived functions in late-life are not well understood.
- Prefrontal brain structures are involved in self-perception and emotion regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between self-reported general functioning and the volume of specific prefrontal brain structures.
- To explore neural substrates of self-perceived energy and general health in elderly individuals, including those with depression.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 43 depressed and 41 comparison elderly subjects.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure gray and white matter volumes of the orbitofrontal cortex, gyrus rectus, and anterior cingulate.
- The RAND Short-Form 36 Questionnaire assessed self-reported physical function, energy, and general health.
Main Results:
- White matter volumes were significantly associated with self-perceptions of energy in both healthy and depressed elderly individuals.
- Gray matter volume was associated with self-perceptions of general health across all diagnostic groups.
- This association between gray matter and general health was particularly strong in individuals with late-onset depression (onset > 50 years).
Conclusions:
- Prefrontal gray and white matter volumes are linked to self-perceived energy and general health in older adults.
- Prefrontal atrophy may alter how individuals perceive their energy and health, irrespective of depression status.
- These findings highlight the neuroanatomic basis of self-perception in aging and its modulation by prefrontal structures.
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