Intelligence moderates the relationship between age and inter-connectivity of resting state networks in older adults

Age-related changes in the interactive behavior of default mode network (DMN) with other resting state networks are poorly understood. We hypothesized that age would positively correlate with inter-network connectivity in late life and intellectual functioning was expected to moderate this relationship. The sample consisted of 48 community-dwelling older adults with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Global inter-connectivity between DMN and 9 other resting state networks was calculated using a novel computational framework based on machine learning. Intellectual functioning (intelligence) was estimated using the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading. A significant, positive relationship was found between age and global inter-network connectivity (r = 0.31, p = 0.029). Moderation analyses yielded a significant age × intelligence interaction term (p = 0.003), such that intelligence attenuated the relationship between age and global inter-network connectivity. Taken together, these results suggest that age is positively associated with global DMN desegregation, possibly due to dedifferentiation or compensation. Intellectual functioning moderates this relationship, such that more intelligent older adults maintain a segregated DMN profile.