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Age-related reductions in human recognition memory due to impaired encoding
C L Grady1, A R McIntosh, B Horwitz
1Brain Aging and Dementia Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 14, 1995
Summary
Aging impairs memory due to reduced brain activity. Older adults showed less activation in key memory areas like the hippocampus during encoding compared to younger individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Memory decline is a common aspect of aging.
- The medial temporal cortex and other brain regions are implicated in memory function.
- Understanding the neural basis of age-related memory impairment is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of medial temporal cortex and other cerebral structures in age-related memory impairment.
- To compare brain activity during memory encoding and recognition in young and old adults.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF).
- rCBF was assessed during face encoding and recognition tasks.
- Participants included young and old adults.
Main Results:
- Young adults exhibited increased rCBF in the right hippocampus, left prefrontal, and temporal cortices during encoding.
- Young adults showed right prefrontal and parietal cortex activation during recognition.
- Older adults displayed reduced activation in areas crucial for encoding seen in young adults, but showed right prefrontal activation during recognition.
Conclusions:
- Age-related memory impairments may stem from inadequate stimulus encoding.
- Reduced cortical and hippocampal activation during encoding in older adults correlates with memory deficits.
- Specific patterns of brain activation differ between young and old individuals during memory tasks.