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Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: November 14, 2017
Brain plasticity and intellectual ability are influenced by shared genes.
Rachel G H Brans1, René S Kahn, Hugo G Schnack
1Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Summary
The adult brain continues to change with age, showing thinning in the frontal cortex and thickening in the medial temporal cortex. These brain changes are heritable and linked to intelligence, with higher IQ associated with more pronounced beneficial changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- The adult brain was traditionally considered stable until senescence.
- Continued intellectual development throughout life suggests ongoing brain changes.
- Heritability of brain size is known, but genetic contributions to brain plasticity are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in brain structure in adulthood.
- To determine the heritability of these brain changes.
- To explore the relationship between brain plasticity, aging, and cognitive ability (intelligence).
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study.
- Utilized a twin study design to assess heritability.
- Correlated changes in cortical thickness with cognitive ability measures (IQ).
Main Results:
- Significant age-related cortical thinning in the frontal lobe and thickening in the medial temporal lobe observed.
- These structural brain changes were found to be heritable.
- Higher intelligence (IQ) was associated with attenuated cortical thinning and more pronounced medial temporal cortical thickening over time.
- Genetic factors influencing both intelligence and brain plasticity partially explained these associations.
Conclusions:
- The adult brain exhibits significant structural changes throughout life, not just during senescence.
- These age-related brain modifications are heritable and functionally relevant, impacting cognitive abilities like intelligence.
- Genetic influences play a role in individual differences in both intelligence and the brain's capacity for change (plasticity).
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