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Structure-Function Interactions in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex Are Associated with Episodic Memory in
Jamie Snytte1, Roni Setton2, Laetitia Mwilambwe-Tshilobo3,4
1Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada jamie.snytte@mail.mcgill.ca nathan.spreng@gmail.com.
Eneuro
|March 13, 2024
Summary
Healthy aging preserves memory through brain network reorganization. Increased structural integrity and functional connectivity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex support better memory performance in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Aging
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Episodic memory declines with age, linked to changes in the hippocampus and lateral prefrontal cortex.
- Previous research often studied structural and functional brain changes related to memory independently.
- Understanding the interplay between brain structure and function is crucial for explaining memory performance in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how interactions between structural integrity and functional connectivity relate to episodic memory in healthy aging.
- To explore the neural mechanisms underlying age-related memory compensation.
- To examine differences in memory-related brain networks between younger and older adults.
Main Methods:
- Multimodal, multivariate analysis of structural MRI and multiecho resting-state fMRI data.
- Inclusion of younger (N=111) and older (N=78) adult participants.
- Assessment of episodic memory using list recall, associative memory, and source memory tasks.
Main Results:
- Greater structural integrity in the posterior hippocampus and middle frontal gyrus correlated with increased within-network connectivity.
- This pattern of structural integrity and connectivity was associated with better associative and source memory in older adults.
- Older adults with functional reorganization (pruned connections) showed better memory despite reduced hippocampal volume.
Conclusions:
- Functional reorganization, characterized by pruned connections, aids memory compensation in healthy aging.
- Better episodic memory in older adults is linked to the structural integrity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
- The findings highlight the importance of brain network interactions for maintaining cognitive function during aging.
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