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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Brain Structure-Function Association as a Compensatory Factor in Cognitive Aging
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|August 1, 2026
Summary
As people age, brain activity changes in the default mode network (DMN) and multiple demand network (MDN) are linked to cognitive decline. Older adults may use compensatory brain activity to maintain executive function despite white matter changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Aging
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Functional activity in default mode network (DMN) and multiple demand network (MDN) declines with age, impacting cognitive performance.
- White matter structural connectivity in MDN regions degrades earlier than in DMN regions.
- Altered DMN activity may compensate for MDN structural decline to preserve executive function (EF) in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the compensatory role of altered default mode network (DMN) activity in maintaining executive function (EF) with aging.
- To examine the relationship between white matter structural connectivity and functional brain activity in aging adults.
- To test the hypothesis that compensatory DMN activity offsets age-related white matter decline in MDN regions.
Main Methods:
- 160 healthy adults (aged 20-94) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a distance judgment task.
- Functionally-guided tractography was used to map white matter tracts connecting DMN and MDN regions.
- Analyses assessed age effects on white matter integrity (fractional anisotropy; FA), structure-function associations, and their impact on executive function.
Main Results:
- Age-related decline was observed in a specific MDN tract (U-shaped tract).
- A significant association between white matter structure (FA) and BOLD-modulation was found in the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF).
- An interaction between frontal-insular tract FA, age, and BOLD-modulation predicted inhibition performance, supporting compensatory mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Altered DMN activity may serve as a compensatory mechanism for older adults experiencing white matter microstructure decline.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between structural integrity and functional brain activity in maintaining cognitive abilities with age.
- The study provides evidence for compensatory functional activity effects on executive function in older adults with altered white matter.
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