Disrupted Neural Synchrony Mediates the Relationship between White Matter Integrity and Cognitive Performance in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Aging Research
• Brain Connectivity

Background:

• White matter integrity declines with age, potentially impacting cognitive function.
• Understanding the relationship between brain structure, function, and cognition in aging is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how white matter integrity affects dynamic brain coupling in older adults.
• To determine the influence of white matter on individual differences in cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded during a working memory and inhibition task.
• Analysis of associations between functional activity (phase-locking value), structural integrity (white matter), and cognitive performance.

Main Results:

• White matter microstructural integrity mediates the link between cognitive function and aging.
• Preservation of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus is associated with faster modulations in alpha and gamma phase-locking between frontal and occipital regions.
• Enhanced long-range phase-locking and reduced local coupling correlate with better cognitive control.

Conclusions:

• White matter microstructure plays a key role in dynamic brain synchrony during aging.
• Individual variability in white matter integrity influences cognitive performance through altered neural communication patterns.