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Kang W, Wang J, Malvaso A. Inhibitory Control in Aging: The Compensation-Related Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:771885. [PMID: 35967887 PMCID: PMC9371469 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.771885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the core executive functions, inhibitory control plays an important role in human life. Inhibitory control refers to the ability to suppress task irrelevant information both internally and externally. Modern cognitive neuroscience has extensively investigated the neural basis of inhibitory control, less is known about the inhibitory control mechanisms in aging. Growing interests in cognitive declines of aging have given raise to the compensation-related utilization of neural circuits hypothesis (CRUNCH). In this review, we survey both behavioral, functional, and structural changes relevant to inhibitory control in aging. In line with CRUNCH, we found that older adults engage additional brain regions than younger adults when performing the same cognitive task, to compensate for declining brain structures and functions. Moreover, we propose CRUNCH could well take functional inhibitory deficits in older adults into account. Finally, we provide three sensible future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixi Kang
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Weixi Kang,
| | - Junxin Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Antonio Malvaso
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Ziaei M, Oestreich L, Persson J, Reutens DC, Ebner NC. Neural correlates of affective empathy in aging: A multimodal imaging and multivariate approach. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2022; 29:577-598. [PMID: 35156904 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2022.2036684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Empathy is one such social-cognitive capacity that undergoes age-related change. C urrently, however, not well understood is the structural and functional neurocircuitry underlying age-related differences in empathy. This study aimed to delineate brain structural and functional networks that subserve affective empathic response in younger and older adults using a modified version of the Multifaceted Empathy Task to both positive and negative emotions. Combining multimodal neuroimaging with multivariate partial least square analysis resulted in two novel findings in older but not younger adults: (a) faster empathic responding to negative emotions was related to greater fractional anisotropy of the anterior cingulum and greater functional activity of the anterior cingulate network; (b) however, empathic responding to positive emotions was related to greater fractional anisotropy of the posterior cingulum and greater functional activity of the posterior cingulate network. Such differentiation of structural and functional networks might have critical implications for prosocial behavior and social connections among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ziaei
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Jebsen Centre for Alzheimer's Diseases, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lena Oestreich
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jonas Persson
- Center for Lifespan Developmental Research, School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David C Reutens
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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