Network segregation is associated with processing speed in the cognitively healthy oldest-old
Sara A Nolin1, Mary E Faulkner1, Paul Stewart1
1University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Birmingham, United States.
Elife
|March 26, 2025
Summary
Brain network segregation is linked to cognitive function in healthy oldest-old adults. Differentiated functional networks support successful cognitive aging and processing speed in individuals aged 85 and over.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Aging Research
- Brain Network Analysis
Background:
- The aging brain exhibits changes in functional connectivity.
- Understanding how brain organization supports cognition in healthy aging is crucial.
- Older adults who maintain cognitive health into extreme old age offer insights into successful aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional network segregation in cognitively healthy oldest-old adults (85+).
- To examine the association between brain network organization and cognitive performance in this age group.
- To provide a cortical parcellation for healthy oldest-old individuals.
Main Methods:
- Functional network segregation analysis was performed on 146 cognitively healthy participants aged 85+.
- Data was collected from the McKnight Brain Aging Registry (MBAR).
- Cortical parcellation for the 85+ age group was developed.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between network segregation and overall cognition.
- Segregation of the association system and its networks (fronto-parietal, cingulo-opercular, default mode) correlated with processing speed.
- Network segregation in the oldest-old brain is closely linked to cognitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Differentiated functional brain networks are associated with preserved cognitive ability in very old age.
- Network segregation is a key factor in successful cognitive aging.
- The findings highlight the importance of brain network organization for maintaining cognition in advanced age.
Keywords:
cognitive agingdedifferentiationhumannetwork segregationneuroscienceoldest-oldprocessing speedMore Related Videos
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