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Thalamic structures and associated cognitive functions: Relations with age and aging.

Rosemary Fama1, Edith V Sullivan2

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Summary

Aging affects the thalamus, a key brain region for memory and attention. Studies show age-related changes in thalamic structure and connectivity impact cognitive functions like information processing and memory.

Keywords:
AgingAttentionConnectivityDTIExecutive functionsMRIMemoryThalamocorticalThalamus

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Aging
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • The thalamus is crucial for cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and information processing.
  • These cognitive functions are known to decline during normal aging.
  • The thalamus exhibits structural and connectivity changes throughout the adult lifespan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review studies examining the relationship between aging and the thalamus.
  • To focus on how age-related thalamic changes affect cognitive processes such as attention, information processing speed, and memory.

Main Methods:

  • Review of structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies.
  • Analysis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data.
  • Examination of studies assessing thalamic structure, function, and connectivity in relation to aging.

Main Results:

  • Aging is associated with thalamic macrostructural and microstructural degradation.
  • Regional thalamic volume shrinkage and microstructural decline are observed, with anterior regions more affected.
  • Declines in the integrity of specific thalamic nuclei and their projections (thalamofrontal, thalamoparietal, thalamolimbic) are linked to advancing age.

Conclusions:

  • The thalamus undergoes significant structural and functional changes with age.
  • These age-related thalamic alterations contribute to declines in cognitive functions like attention and memory.
  • Understanding these changes is vital for comprehending cognitive aging and developing interventions.