Joint contributions from brain activity and activity-independent functional connectivity to working memory aging
Caishui Yang1,2, Jialing Fan1, Kewei Chen3
1State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Psychophysiology
|October 9, 2023
Summary
Brain activity and connectivity independently change with aging, impacting working memory (WM). These alterations in regions like the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) affect performance, offering new insights into cognitive aging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Aging
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Working memory (WM) impairment is common in normal aging.
- Previous studies examined regional activity or interregional connectivity changes in aging WM.
- The relationship between age-related changes in brain activity and connectivity on WM performance remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether brain activity and functional connectivity independently alter with aging and affect WM performance.
- To explore the mediating roles of regional activity and connectivity in age-related WM changes.
- To understand the interaction between brain activity and functional connectivity in late adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess WM during an N-back task.
- A community-based sample of 168 elderly subjects (aged 55-86 years) participated.
- Age-related alterations in regional brain activity and seed-based interregional connectivity were assessed independently.
Main Results:
- Age-related decreases in inferior parietal lobule (IPL) positive activity and increases in ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) negative activity were observed.
- Local functional dysfunctions in IPL and ACC were associated with altered connectivity to other cortical regions.
- IPL and ACC activity impairments mediated age-related effects on accuracy and reaction time, respectively, with connectivity changes counterbalancing these effects.
Conclusions:
- Age-induced alterations in regional activity and interregional connectivity occur independently and contribute to WM decline in aging.
- Brain activity and functional connectivity interact in late adulthood, influencing WM.
- Findings provide a new perspective for understanding cognitive aging and WM.
Keywords:
N-back paradigmbackground functional connectivitycognitive agingfMRItask activityworking memoryMore Related Videos
07:01Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
4.8K
10:38A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
13.7K
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
126
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
126
01:24Working Memory
196
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
196
01:26Aging
60
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
60
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
2.1K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
2.1K
01:13Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation
2.0K
The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
2.0K
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
452
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
452