The language network ages well: Preserved selectivity, lateralization, and within-network functional synchronization
Anne Billot1,2, Niharika Jhingan3,4, Maria Varkanitsa5
1Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA 02114.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|November 1, 2024
Summary
Older adults show significant decline in executive functions and the associated Multiple Demand (MD) network. However, their language network remains remarkably preserved, functioning like that of younger adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Aging Research
Background:
- Healthy aging involves brain changes, but cognitive abilities like executive functions decline while language processing remains preserved.
- This cognitive heterogeneity suggests differential aging patterns across brain networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in the language-selective network and the Multiple Demand (MD) network using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- To compare brain network function and connectivity in older adults versus young controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized individual-subject fMRI analyses ('precision fMRI') to examine the language network and MD network.
- Compared activation patterns, spatial extent, and functional synchronization in older adults (n=77) and young controls (n=470) during executive function and language tasks.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited weaker and less spatially extensive MD network activations and reduced within-network synchronization compared to young adults.
- The language network in older adults showed preserved activation strength, selectivity, lateralization, and internal synchronization, appearing indistinguishable from younger adults.
Conclusions:
- Certain brain networks, like the language network, can maintain 'young-like' function and connectivity in older age, despite overall aging-related brain changes.
- Findings support the behavioral observation of preserved language skills in aging and highlight network-specific aging trajectories.
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