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Assessing aging-related changes of the brain-heart interconnection using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Kübra Akbaş1, Kelsi Petrillo2, Hossein Ehsani1
1Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University, NJ, United States.
Summary
Brain-heart interactions (BHIs) change with aging and cognitive decline. Coherence measures using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and heart rate (HR) reveal these age-related BHI alterations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Brain-heart interactions (BHIs) are crucial for autonomic nervous system function.
- Aging and cognitive disorders like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can negatively impact BHIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in BHIs using wavelet phase coherence (WPC).
- To assess alterations in BHIs during a dual-task (DT) in young, cognitively normal older adults, and those with MCI.
Main Methods:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and heart rate (HR) signals were recorded.
- Wavelet coherence analysis was applied to fNIRS and HR data.
- Participants included healthy young (HY) adults, cognitively normal (CN) older adults, and older adults with MCI.
Main Results:
- Wavelet coherence was significantly higher in older adults versus young adults.
- MCI participants showed significantly smaller wavelet coherence compared to CN older adults.
- Wavelet phase coherence (WPC) was significantly lower in older adults with MCI across most brain regions.
Conclusions:
- Aging and cognitive impairment alter BHIs, as evidenced by fNIRS and HR signal coherence.
- These coherence measures could serve as a screening tool for autonomic dysfunction related to aging and cognitive impairment.
