Different Cortex Activation and Functional Connectivity in Executive Function Between Young and Elder People During...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Aging Research

Background:

• Cognitive function, including executive control, declines with age.
• The Stroop test is a standard measure of cognitive control and attention.
• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allows non-invasive assessment of brain activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related differences in prefrontal and temporal lobe activation and functional connectivity during the Stroop test.
• To compare brain activity patterns between young and older adults using fNIRS.

Main Methods:

• 33 healthy participants (20 young, 13 older) completed the Stroop Color Word Test.
• fNIRS measured oxygenated (Delta [HbO2]) and deoxygenated (Delta [HbR]) hemoglobin in the temporopolar area (TA), Broca's area, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and frontopolar area (FA).
• Wavelet coherence analysis examined functional connectivity in delta oscillations across four frequency intervals.

Main Results:

• Younger adults performed significantly better and more accurately on incongruent Stroop tasks.
• Older adults showed greater cortical activation in the DLPFC, Broca's area, FA, and TA.
• Younger adults demonstrated stronger functional connectivity between brain regions, particularly in the DLPFC.

Conclusions:

• Despite higher cortical activation in older adults, younger adults exhibit superior functional brain connectivity.
• Age-related decline in functional connectivity may be associated with white matter atrophy.
• DLPFC and right Broca area showed significant activation, highlighting their role in Stroop test performance.