Abnormal white and gray matter functional connectivity is associated with cognitive dysfunction in presbycusis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Audiology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is linked to cognitive decline.
• Gray matter reorganization is known in presbycusis, but white matter connections are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate gray-white matter functional connectivity differences in presbycusis.
• Correlate connectivity changes with hearing loss and cognitive function.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) used.
• Compared 60 presbycusis patients with 57 healthy controls.

Main Results:

• Significant functional connectivity alterations found in corpus callosum and internal capsule.
• Disrupted connectivity between corpus callosum and ventral anterior cingulate cortex linked to attention deficits.
• Enhanced connectivity between internal capsule and auditory stream related to broader cognitive impairments.

Conclusions:

• Altered gray-white matter connectivity in presbycusis impacts cognitive regulation.
• Findings shed light on brain compensation and resource redistribution in hearing loss.