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Different structural brain patterns and their association with executive function and general cognitive ability in
Wenjie Pan1, Cheng Xu2, Cheng Zhu2
1Ruian Fifth People's Hospital, Wenzhou, China.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|February 18, 2026
Summary
Older adults show distinct brain structure changes, impacting executive function and overall cognition. These brain patterns are linked to cognitive abilities in aging individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Structural gray matter changes are noted in healthy older adults.
- The relationship between brain structure, executive function, and general cognition in aging is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between structural brain patterns, executive function, and general cognitive ability in older adults.
- To compare brain structure and cognitive function between younger and older adults.
Main Methods:
- 119 cognitively normal older adults and 162 younger adults underwent cognitive assessment and structural MRI.
- Surface-based morphometry derived cortical thickness (CT), surface area (CSA), and gray matter volume (GMV).
- Moderated mediation analysis explored relationships between brain structure, executive function, and general cognitive ability.
Main Results:
- Older adults had lower frontal CT and reduced GMV in the thalamus and putamen compared to younger adults.
- Right thalamus GMV was associated with executive function, which in turn related to general cognitive ability.
- Executive function mediated the effect of right thalamus GMV on general cognitive ability in younger, but not older adults.
Conclusions:
- Cognitively normal older adults exhibit unique structural brain patterns.
- These brain patterns are associated with executive function and general cognitive ability in aging.
- Findings highlight the link between brain structural changes and cognition in healthy aging.
Keywords:
cognitively normal elderly adultscortical thicknessgeneral cognitive abilitygray matter volumestructural brainMore Related Videos
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