Age-related differences in resting-state and task-based network characteristics and cognition: a lifespan sample

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Aging
• Brain Connectivity

Background:

• Aging is linked to cognitive and neural decline, but the interaction is complex.
• Functional connectivity (FC), the synchronized activity of brain regions, offers insights into age-related brain changes.
• Existing research has not fully explored how task-based versus resting-state FC relates to diverse cognitive functions across the lifespan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of age on cognition and whole-brain functional connectivity during rest and task.
• To examine the relationships between age, functional connectivity, and cognitive performance across the adult lifespan.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive battery of cognitive assessments was administered to participants across the adult lifespan.
• Whole-brain functional connectivity was analyzed during both resting-state and task conditions.
• Mean network characteristics were calculated to quantify functional connectivity patterns.

Main Results:

• Older age correlated with poorer performance in recall, executive function, and verbal working memory, but improved language abilities.
• Increased age was associated with reduced within- and between-network functional connectivity during both rest and task, with stronger effects during task performance.
• Functional connectivity was linked to cognitive performance, with resting-state connectivity showing the strongest associations across all participants.

Conclusions:

• While age-related neural differences were more pronounced during task performance, resting-state functional connectivity demonstrated a stronger relationship with cognitive abilities.
• Higher resting-state between-network functional connectivity was linked to poorer overall cognition and language abilities in older adults.
• Findings support the dedifferentiation hypothesis, suggesting that less differentiated brain functional connectivity is associated with cognitive costs in both younger and older adults.