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Elmers J, Yu S, Talebi N, Prochnow A, Beste C. Neurophysiological effective network connectivity supports a threshold-dependent management of dynamic working memory gating. iScience 2024; 27:109521. [PMID: 38591012 PMCID: PMC11000016 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
To facilitate goal-directed actions, effective management of working memory (WM) is crucial, involving a hypothesized WM "gating mechanism." We investigate the underlying neural basis through behavioral modeling and connectivity assessments between neuroanatomical regions linked to theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. We found opposing, threshold-dependent mechanisms governing WM gate opening and closing. Directed beta band connectivity in the parieto-frontal and parahippocampal-occipital networks was crucial for threshold-dependent WM gating dynamics. Fronto-parahippocampal connectivity in the theta band was also notable for both gating processes, although weaker than that in the beta band. Distinct roles for theta, beta, and alpha bands emerge in maintaining information in WM and shielding against interference, whereby alpha band activity likely acts as a "gatekeeper" supporting processes reflected by beta and theta band activity. The study shows that the decision criterion for WM gate opening/closing relies on concerted interplay within neuroanatomical networks defined by beta and theta band activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Elmers
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Shijing Yu
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nasibeh Talebi
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Astrid Prochnow
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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2
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Santo-Angles A, Temudo A, Babushkin V, Sreenivasan KK. Effective connectivity of working memory performance: a DCM study of MEG data. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1339728. [PMID: 38501039 PMCID: PMC10944968 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1339728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual working memory (WM) engages several nodes of a large-scale network that includes frontal, parietal, and visual regions; however, little is understood about how these regions interact to support WM behavior. In particular, it is unclear whether network dynamics during WM maintenance primarily represent feedforward or feedback connections. This question has important implications for current debates about the relative roles of frontoparietal and visual regions in WM maintenance. In the current study, we investigated the network activity supporting WM using MEG data acquired while healthy subjects performed a multi-item delayed estimation WM task. We used computational modeling of behavior to discriminate correct responses (high accuracy trials) from two different types of incorrect responses (low accuracy and swap trials), and dynamic causal modeling of MEG data to measure effective connectivity. We observed behaviorally dependent changes in effective connectivity in a brain network comprising frontoparietal and early visual areas. In comparison with high accuracy trials, frontoparietal and frontooccipital networks showed disrupted signals depending on type of behavioral error. Low accuracy trials showed disrupted feedback signals during early portions of WM maintenance and disrupted feedforward signals during later portions of maintenance delay, while swap errors showed disrupted feedback signals during the whole delay period. These results support a distributed model of WM that emphasizes the role of visual regions in WM storage and where changes in large scale network configurations can have important consequences for memory-guided behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniol Santo-Angles
- Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Brain and Health, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ainsley Temudo
- Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vahan Babushkin
- Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kartik K. Sreenivasan
- Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Brain and Health, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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3
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Arnsten AFT, Wang M, D’Esposito M. Dynamic Network Connectivity: from monkeys to humans. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1353043. [PMID: 38384333 PMCID: PMC10879414 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1353043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Human brain imaging research using functional MRI (fMRI) has uncovered flexible variations in the functional connectivity between brain regions. While some of this variability likely arises from the pattern of information flow through circuits, it may also be influenced by rapid changes in effective synaptic strength at the molecular level, a phenomenon called Dynamic Network Connectivity (DNC) discovered in non-human primate circuits. These neuromodulatory molecular mechanisms are found in layer III of the macaque dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), the site of the microcircuits shown by Goldman-Rakic to be critical for working memory. This research has shown that the neuromodulators acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine can rapidly change the strength of synaptic connections in layer III dlPFC by (1) modifying the depolarization state of the post-synaptic density needed for NMDA receptor neurotransmission and (2) altering the open state of nearby potassium channels to rapidly weaken or strengthen synaptic efficacy and the strength of persistent neuronal firing. Many of these actions involve increased cAMP-calcium signaling in dendritic spines, where varying levels can coordinate the arousal state with the cognitive state. The current review examines the hypothesis that some of the dynamic changes in correlative strength between cortical regions observed in human fMRI studies may arise from these molecular underpinnings, as has been seen when pharmacological agents or genetic alterations alter the functional connectivity of the dlPFC consistent with the macaque physiology. These DNC mechanisms provide essential flexibility but may also confer vulnerability to malfunction when dysregulated in cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy F. T. Arnsten
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Mark D’Esposito
- Department of Psychology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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4
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Yang C, Fan J, Chen K, Zhang Z. Joint contributions from brain activity and activity-independent functional connectivity to working memory aging. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14449. [PMID: 37813678 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) impairment has been well characterized in normal aging. Various studies have explored changes in either the regional activity or the interregional connectivity underlying the aging process of WM. We proposed that brain activity and connectivity would independently alter with aging and affect WM performance. WM was assessed with a classical N-back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging in a community-based sample comprising 168 elderly subjects (aged 55-86 years old). Following the rationale of background functional connectivity, we assessed age-related alterations in brain activity and seed-based interregional connectivity independently. Analyses revealed age-related decrease in positive activity of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and an increase in the negative activity of the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the local functional dysfunctions were accompanied by alterations in their connectivity to other cortical regions. Importantly, regional activity impairments in the IPL and ACC could mediate age-related effects on accuracy rate and reaction time, respectively, and those effects were further counterbalanced by enhancement of their background functional connectivity. We thus claimed that age-induced alterations in regional activity and interregional connectivity occurred independently and contributed to WM changes in aging. Our findings presented the way brain activity and functional connectivity interact in the late adulthood, thus providing a new perspective for understanding WM and cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caishui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jialing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Kewei Chen
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Zhanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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5
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Bunzeck N, Steiger TK, Krämer UM, Luedtke K, Marshall L, Obleser J, Tune S. Trajectories and contributing factors of neural compensation in healthy and pathological aging. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 156:105489. [PMID: 38040075 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Neural degeneration is a hallmark of healthy aging and can be associated with specific cognitive impairments. However, neural degeneration per se is not matched by unremitting declines in cognitive abilities. Instead, middle-aged and older adults typically maintain surprisingly high levels of cognitive functioning, suggesting that the human brain can adapt to structural degeneration by neural compensation. Here, we summarize prevailing theories and recent empirical studies on neural compensation with a focus on often neglected contributing factors, such as lifestyle, metabolism and neural plasticity. We suggest that these factors moderate the relationship between structural integrity and neural compensation, maintaining psychological well-being and behavioral functioning. Finally, we discuss that a breakdown in neural compensation may pose a tipping point that distinguishes the trajectories of healthy vs pathological aging, but conjoint support from psychology and cognitive neuroscience for this alluring view is still scarce. Therefore, future experiments that target the concomitant processes of neural compensation and associated behavior will foster a comprehensive understanding of both healthy and pathological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Bunzeck
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Germany.
| | | | - Ulrike M Krämer
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Germany; Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kerstin Luedtke
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Lisa Marshall
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Germany; Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jonas Obleser
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sarah Tune
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Germany
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6
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Springer SD, Okelberry HJ, Willett MP, Johnson HJ, Meehan CE, Schantell M, Embury CM, Rempe MP, Wilson TW. Age-related alterations in the oscillatory dynamics serving verbal working memory processing. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:14574-14590. [PMID: 38154102 PMCID: PMC10781444 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is a foundational cognitive function involving the temporary storage of information. Unfortunately, WM is also one of the most sensitive cognitive functions to the detrimental effects of aging. Expanding the field's understanding of age-related WM changes is critical to advancing the development of strategies to mitigate age-related WM declines. In the current study, we investigated the neural mechanisms serving WM function in seventy-eight healthy aging adults (range: 20.2-65.2 years) using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and a Sternberg WM task with letter stimuli. Neural activity during the different phases of the WM task (i.e., encoding, maintenance, and retrieval) were imaged using a time-frequency resolved beamformer and whole-brain statistics were performed. We found stronger increases in theta activity and stronger decreases in alpha and beta activity (i.e., more negative relative to baseline) as a function of healthy aging. Specifically, age-related increases in theta activity were detected during the encoding period in the primary visual and left prefrontal cortices. Additionally, alpha and beta oscillations were stronger (i.e., more negative) during both encoding and maintenance in the left prefrontal cortex in older individuals. Finally, alpha and beta oscillations during the retrieval phase were stronger (i.e., more negative) in older participants within the prefrontal, parietal, and temporal cortices. Together, these results indicate that healthy aging strongly modulates the neural oscillatory dynamics serving WM function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth D. Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Hannah J. Okelberry
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Madelyn P. Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Hallie J. Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Chloe E. Meehan
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Christine M. Embury
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Maggie P. Rempe
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
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7
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Thams F, Li SC, Flöel A, Antonenko D. Functional Connectivity and Microstructural Network Correlates of Interindividual Variability in Distinct Executive Functions of Healthy Older Adults. Neuroscience 2023; 526:61-73. [PMID: 37321368 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Executive functions, essential for daily life, are known to be impaired in older age. Some executive functions, including working memory updating and value-based decision-making, are specifically sensitive to age-related deterioration. While their neural correlates in young adults are well-described, a comprehensive delineation of the underlying brain substrates in older populations, relevant to identify targets for modulation against cognitive decline, is missing. Here, we assessed letter updating and Markov decision-making task performance to operationalize these trainable functions in 48 older adults. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was acquired to quantify functional connectivity (FC) in task-relevant frontoparietal and default mode networks. Microstructure in white matter pathways mediating executive functions was assessed with diffusion tensor imaging and quantified by tract-based fractional anisotropy (FA). Superior letter updating performance correlated with higher FC between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left frontoparietal and hippocampal areas, while superior Markov decision-making performance correlated with decreased FC between basal ganglia and right angular gyrus. Furthermore, better working memory updating performance was related to higher FA in the cingulum bundle and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. Stepwise linear regression showed that cingulum bundle FA added significant incremental contribution to the variance explained by fronto-angular FC alone. Our findings provide a characterization of distinct functional and structural connectivity correlates associated with performance of specific executive functions. Thereby, this study contributes to the understanding of the neural correlates of updating and decision-making functions in older adults, paving the way for targeted modulation of specific networks by modulatory techniques such as behavioral interventions and non-invasive brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Thams
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Shu-Chen Li
- Chair of Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01062 Dresden, Germany; Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop, TU Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Agnes Flöel
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Standort Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Daria Antonenko
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
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8
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Lugtmeijer S, Geerligs L, Tsvetanov KA, Mitchell DJ, Cam-Can, Campbell KL. Lifespan differences in visual short-term memory load-modulated functional connectivity. Neuroimage 2023; 270:119982. [PMID: 36848967 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory is critical to higher-order executive processes and declines throughout the adult lifespan. However, our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying this decline is limited. Recent work suggests that functional connectivity between frontal control and posterior visual regions may be critical, but examinations of age differences therein have been limited to a small set of brain regions and extreme group designs (i.e., comparing young and older adults). In this study, we build on previous research by using a lifespan cohort and a whole-brain approach to investigate working memory load-modulated functional connectivity in relation to age and performance. The article reports on analysis of the Cambridge center for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) data. Participants from a population-based lifespan cohort (N = 101, age 23-86) performed a visual short-term memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Visual short-term memory was measured with a delayed recall task for visual motion with three different loads. Whole-brain load-modulated functional connectivity was estimated using psychophysiological interactions in a hundred regions of interest, sorted into seven networks (Schaefer et al., 2018, Yeo et al., 2011). Results showed that load-modulated functional connectivity was strongest within the dorsal attention and visual networks during encoding and maintenance. With increasing age, load-modulated functional connectivity strength decreased throughout the cortex. Whole-brain analyses for the relation between connectivity and behavior were non-significant. Our results give additional support to the sensory recruitment model of working memory. We also demonstrate the widespread negative impact of age on the modulation of functional connectivity by working memory load. Older adults might already be close to ceiling in terms of their neural resources at the lowest load and therefore less able to further increase connectivity with increasing task demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Lugtmeijer
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
| | - Linda Geerligs
- Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Kamen A Tsvetanov
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom.
| | - Daniel J Mitchell
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 7EF, United Kingdom.
| | - Cam-Can
- Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN), University of Cambridge and MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 7EF, United Kingdom.
| | - Karen L Campbell
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
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Jiang J, Fan L, Liu J. The knowledge domain of cognitive neuroscience of aging: A Scientometric and bibliometric analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:999594. [PMID: 36845653 PMCID: PMC9947251 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.999594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive neuroscience of aging (CNA) is a relatively young field compared with other branches of cognitive aging (CA). From the beginning of this century, scholars in CNA have contributed many valuable research to explain the cognitive ability decline in aging brains in terms of functional changes, neuromechanism, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, very few studies have systematically reviewed the research in the domain of CAN, with regard to its primary research topics, theories, findings, and future development. Therefore, this study used CiteSpace to conduct a bibliometric analysis of 1,462 published articles in CNA from Web of Science (WOS) and investigated the highly influential and potential research topics and theories of CNA, as well as important brain areas involved in CAN during 2000-2021. The results revealed that: (1) the research topics of "memory" and "attention" have been the focus of most studies, progressing into a fMRI-oriented stage; (2) the scaffolding theory and hemispheric asymmetry reduction in older adults model hold a key status in CNA, characterizing aging as a dynamic process and presenting compensatory relationships between different brain areas; and (3) age-related changes always occur in temporal (especially the hippocampus), parietal, and frontal lobes and the cognitive declines establish the compensation relationship between the anterior and posterior regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Jiang
- Research Institute of Foreign Language, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Haidian, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Fan
- National Research Center for Foreign Language Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Haidian, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Lin Fan,
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Foreign Studies, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
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10
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Chu NCW, Sturnieks DL, Lord SR, Menant JC. Visuospatial working memory and obstacle crossing in young and older people. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2871-2883. [PMID: 36112172 PMCID: PMC9587940 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06458-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Obstacle crossing requires visuospatial working memory to guide the trailing leg trajectory when vision in unavailable. Visuospatial working memory, as assessed with neuropsychological tests, declines with age, however, this remains to be investigated functionally in obstacle crossing. There is also evidence that visuospatial encoding during a secondary task interferes with balance control during stepping and walking in older people. Here, we studied the interaction effects of age by delay (study 1) and age by secondary visuospatial task (study 2) conditions on obstacle clearance in a visuospatial working memory -guided obstacle crossing task. Healthy young adults aged 19 to 36 years (n = 20 in study 1 and n = 17 in study 2) and healthy older adults aged 66 to 83 years (n = 29 in study 1 and n = 21 in study 2) were instructed to step over an obstacle with their leading leg and straddle it for a delay period before completing the crossing with their trailing leg. In study 1, two obstacle height conditions (12 cm, 18 cm) and two delay durations (20 s, 60 s) were presented in random order. In study 2, participants were required to attend to either no secondary task (control), a visuospatial secondary (star movement) task, or a nonspatial secondary (arithmetic) task, while straddling the obstacle for a delay duration of 20 s, at obstacle heights of 12 cm and 18 cm, randomly presented. Trailing leg kinematics (mean and variability of maximum toe clearance over the obstacle) were determined via motion capture. There were no statistically significant age by delay or age by secondary task interactions. In study 1, toe clearance variability was significantly greater in young adults and increased with increasing delay duration in both groups. In study 2, compared with the control condition, toe clearance variability was significantly greater in the non-spatial secondary task condition but not in the visuospatial condition. Contrary to our hypotheses, these findings suggest that young and older adults alike can store an obstacle representation via visuospatial working memory for durations of at least 60 s and use this information to safely scale their trailing leg over an obstacle. However, the increase in trailing leg toe clearance variability with delay duration suggests that obstacle representation starts to deteriorate even within the first 20 s regardless of age. The finding that undertaking a concurrent arithmetic task impaired visuospatial working memory-guided obstacle clearance suggests a potential increased risk of tripping during obstacle crossing while dual-tasking in both young and older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- N C W Chu
- Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - D L Sturnieks
- Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S R Lord
- Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - J C Menant
- Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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11
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Draaisma L, Wessel M, Moyne M, Morishita T, Hummel F. Targeting the frontoparietal network using bifocal transcranial alternating current stimulation during a motor sequence learning task in healthy older adults. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:968-979. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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12
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Cao X, Liu T, Jiang J, Liu H, Zhang J, Kochan NA, Niu H, Brodaty H, Sachdev PS, Wen W. Alternation in Effective Connectivity With Cognitive Aging: A Longitudinal Study of Elderly Populations. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:755931. [PMID: 34867282 PMCID: PMC8636113 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.755931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this research, we investigated the alterations in the directionality and strength of regional interactions within functionally changed brain networks and their relationship to cognitive decline during the aging process in normal elderly individuals. Thirty-seven cognitively normal elderly people received resting-state fMRI scans and cognitive assessments at baseline (age = 78.65 ± 3.56 years) and at 4-year follow-up. Functional connectivity analyses were used to identify networks containing brain regions whose functions changed with age as regions of interest. The spectral dynamic causal modeling (spDCM) method was used to estimate the causal interactions within networks in subjects at different time points and in subjects with different cognitive levels to explore the alterations with cognitive aging. The results showed that, at both time points, all the networks, except the frontal-parietal network (FPN) at baseline, had mutual interactions between each pair of nodes. Furthermore, when the subjects were divided with global cognition level, lost connections were only found in the subgroup with better performance. These indicated that elderly people appeared to need more interaction pathways between brain areas with cognitive decline. We also observed that the strength of the flow of information from the left angular gyrus to the precuneus, which is associated with activation of memory retrieval and the functional hub involved in various cognitive domains, was predictive of declines in executive function with the aging process, making it a potential predictor of such situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiyang Jiang
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Nicole A Kochan
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Haijun Niu
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wei Wen
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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13
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Tagliabue CF, Mazza V. What Can Neural Activity Tell Us About Cognitive Resources in Aging? Front Psychol 2021; 12:753423. [PMID: 34733219 PMCID: PMC8558238 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.753423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A reduction in cognitive resources has been originally proposed to account for age-related decrements in several cognitive domains. According to this view, aging limits the pool of available cognitive supplies: Compared to younger adults, elderly exhaust the resources more rapidly as task difficulty increases, hence a dramatic performance drop. Neurophysiological indexes (e.g., BOLD response and EEG activity) may be instrumental to quantify the amount of such cognitive resources in the brain and to pinpoint the stage of stimulus processing where the decrement in age-related resources is evident. However, as we discuss in this mini-review, the most recent studies on the neurophysiological markers of age-related changes lack a consistent coupling between neural and behavioral effects, which casts doubt on the advantage of measuring neural indexes to study resource deployment in aging. For instance, in the working memory (WM) domain, recent cross-sectional studies found varying patterns of concurrent age-related brain activity, ranging from equivalent to reduced and increased activations of old with respect to younger adults. In an attempt to reconcile these seemingly inconsistent findings of brain-behavior coupling, we focus on the contribution of confounding sources of variability and propose ways to control for them. Finally, we suggest an alternative perspective to explain age-related effects that implies a qualitative (instead of or along with a quantitative) difference in the deployment of cognitive resources in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara F Tagliabue
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) - University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Veronica Mazza
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) - University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
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14
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Wang D, Liang S. Dynamic Causal Modeling on the Identification of Interacting Networks in the Brain: A Systematic Review. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2021; 29:2299-2311. [PMID: 34714747 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2021.3123964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) has long been used to characterize effective connectivity within networks of distributed neuronal responses. Previous reviews have highlighted the understanding of the conceptual basis behind DCM and its variants from different aspects. However, no detailed summary or classification research on the task-related effective connectivity of various brain regions has been made formally available so far, and there is also a lack of application analysis of DCM for hemodynamic and electrophysiological measurements. This review aims to analyze the effective connectivity of different brain regions using DCM for different measurement data. We found that, in general, most studies focused on the networks between different cortical regions, and the research on the networks between other deep subcortical nuclei or between them and the cerebral cortex are receiving increasing attention, but far from the same scale. Our analysis also reveals a clear bias towards some task types. Based on these results, we identify and discuss several promising research directions that may help the community to attain a clear understanding of the brain network interactions under different tasks.
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15
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Cao W, Liao H, Cai S, Peng W, Liu Z, Zheng K, Liu J, Zhong M, Tan C, Yi J. Increased functional interaction within frontoparietal network during working memory task in major depressive disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:5217-5229. [PMID: 34328676 PMCID: PMC8519848 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal fronto-parietal activation has been suggested as a neural underpinning of the working memory (WM) deficits in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the potential interaction within the frontoparietal network during WM processing in MDD remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the role of abnormal functional interactions within frontoparietal network in the neuropathological mechanisms of WM deficits in MDD. A total of 40 MDD patients and 47 demographic matched healthy controls (HCs) were included. Functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral data were collected during numeric n-back tasks. The psychophysiological interaction and dynamic causal modelling methods were applied to investigate the connectivity within the frontoparietal network in MDD during n-back tasks. The psychophysiological interaction analysis revealed that MDD patients showed increased functional connectivity between the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) compared with HCs during the 2-back task. The dynamic causal modelling analysis revealed that MDD patients had significantly increased forward modulation connectivity from the right IPL to the right dlPFC than HCs during the 2-back task. Partial correlation was used to calculate the relationship between connective parameters and psychological variables in the MDD group, which showed that the effective connectivity from right IPL to right dlPFC was correlated negatively with the sensitivity index d' of WM performances and positively with the depressive severity in MDD group. In conclusion, the abnormal functional and effective connectivity between frontal and parietal regions might contribute to explain the neuropathological mechanism of working memory deficits in major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyi Cao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Medical Psychological Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haiyan Liao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sainan Cai
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wanrong Peng
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Medical Psychological Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoxia Liu
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Medical Psychological Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kaili Zheng
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Medical Psychological Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jinyu Liu
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingtian Zhong
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Changlian Tan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jinyao Yi
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Medical Psychological Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, Hunan, China
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16
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Pongpipat EE, Kennedy KM, Foster CM, Boylan MA, Rodrigue KM. Functional Connectivity Within and Between n-Back Modulated Regions: An Adult Lifespan Psychophysiological Interaction Investigation. Brain Connect 2021; 11:103-118. [PMID: 33317393 PMCID: PMC7984940 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2020.0791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Working memory (WM) and its blood-oxygen-level-dependent-related parametric modulation under load decrease with age. Functional connectivity (FC) generally increases with WM load; however, how aging impacts connectivity and whether this is load-dependent, region-dependent, or associated with cognitive performance is unclear. Methods: This study examines these questions in 170 healthy adults (meanage = 52.99 ± 19.18) who completed functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning during an n-back task (0-, 2-, 3-, and 4-back). The FC was estimated by utilizing a modified generalized psychophysiological interaction approach with seeds from fronto-parietal (FP) and default mode (DM) regions that modulated to n-back difficulty. The FC analyses focused on both connectivity during WM engagement (task vs. control) and connectivity in response to increased WM load (linear slope across conditions). Each analysis utilized within- and between-region FC, predicted by age (linear or quadratic), and its associations with in- and out-of-scanner task performance. Results: Engaging in WM either generally (task vs. control) or as a function of difficulty strengthened integration within- and between-FP and DM regions. Notably, these task-sensitive functional connections were robust to the effects of age. Stronger negative FC between FP and DM regions was also associated with better WM performance in an age-dependent manner, occurring selectively in middle-aged and older adults. Discussion: These results suggest that FC is critical for engaging in cognitively demanding tasks, and its lack of sensitivity to healthy aging may provide a means to maintain cognition across the adult lifespan. Thus, this study highlights the contribution of maintenance in brain function to support working memory processing with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekarin E. Pongpipat
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kristen M. Kennedy
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Chris M. Foster
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Maria A. Boylan
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Karen M. Rodrigue
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
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17
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Guo X, Yamashita M, Suzuki M, Ohsawa C, Asano K, Abe N, Soshi T, Sekiyama K. Musical instrument training program improves verbal memory and neural efficiency in novice older adults. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 42:1359-1375. [PMID: 33617124 PMCID: PMC7927292 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies indicate that musical instrument training may improve the cognitive function of older adults. However, little is known about the neural origins of training‐related improvement in cognitive function. Here, we assessed the effects of instrumental training program on cognitive functions and neural efficiency in musically naïve older adults (61–85 years old). Participants were assigned to either the intervention group, which received a 4‐month instrumental training program using keyboard harmonica, or a control group without any alternative training. Cognitive measurements and functional magnetic resonance imaging during visual working memory (VWM) task were administered before and after the intervention in both groups. Behavioral data revealed that the intervention group significantly improved memory performance on the test that measures verbal recall compared to the control group. Neuroimaging data revealed that brain activation in the right supplementary motor area, left precuneus, and bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus (PCgG) during the VWM task decreased after instrumental training only in the intervention group. Task‐related functional connectivity (FC) analysis revealed that the intervention group showed decreased FC between the right PCgG and left middle temporal gyrus, and between the left putamen and right superior temporal gyrus (lPu‐rSTG) during a VWM task after the intervention. Furthermore, a greater improvement in memory performance in the intervention group was associated with a larger reduction in lPu‐rSTG FC, which might be interpreted as improved neural efficiency. Our results indicate that the musical instrument training program may contribute to improvements in verbal memory and neural efficiency in novice older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Guo
- Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Yamashita
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Maki Suzuki
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chie Ohsawa
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,School of Music, Mukogawa Women's University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kohei Asano
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Faculty of Child Care and Education, Osaka University of Comprehensive Children Education, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Abe
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Soshi
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sekiyama
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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18
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Yuk V, Urbain C, Anagnostou E, Taylor MJ. Frontoparietal Network Connectivity During an N-Back Task in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:551808. [PMID: 33033481 PMCID: PMC7509600 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.551808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short-term and working memory (STM and WM) deficits have been demonstrated in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may emerge through atypical functional activity and connectivity of the frontoparietal network, which exerts top-down control necessary for successful STM and WM processes. Little is known regarding the spectral properties of the frontoparietal network during STM or WM processes in ASD, although certain neural frequencies have been linked to specific neural mechanisms. METHODS We analysed magnetoencephalographic data from 39 control adults (26 males; 27.15 ± 5.91 years old) and 40 adults with ASD (26 males; 27.17 ± 6.27 years old) during a 1-back condition (STM) of an n-back task, and from a subset of this sample during a 2-back condition (WM). We performed seed-based connectivity analyses using regions of the frontoparietal network. Interregional synchrony in theta, alpha, and beta bands was assessed with the phase difference derivative and compared between groups during periods of maintenance and recognition. RESULTS During maintenance of newly presented vs. repeated stimuli, the two groups did not differ significantly in theta, alpha, or beta phase synchrony for either condition. Adults with ASD showed alpha-band synchrony in a network containing the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral inferior parietal lobules (IPL), and precuneus in both 1- and 2-back tasks, whereas controls demonstrated alpha-band synchrony in a sparser set of regions, including the left insula and IPL, in only the 1-back task. During recognition of repeated vs. newly presented stimuli, adults with ASD exhibited decreased theta-band connectivity compared to controls in a network with hubs in the right inferior frontal gyrus and left IPL in the 1-back condition. Whilst there were no group differences in connectivity in the 2-back condition, adults with ASD showed no frontoparietal network recruitment during recognition, whilst controls activated networks in the theta and beta bands. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that since adults with ASD performed well on the n-back task, their appropriate, but effortful recruitment of alpha-band mechanisms in the frontoparietal network to maintain items in STM and WM may compensate for atypical modulation of this network in the theta band to recognise previously presented items in STM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Yuk
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charline Urbain
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Group, Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences and ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratoire de Cartographie Fonctionnelle du Cerveau, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margot J Taylor
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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19
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Ye Z, Zhang G, Li S, Zhang Y, Xiao W, Zhou X, Münte TF. Age differences in the fronto-striato-parietal network underlying serial ordering. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 87:115-124. [PMID: 31918954 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining the ability to arrange thoughts and actions in an appropriate serial order is crucial for complex behavior. We aimed to investigate age differences in the fronto-striato-parietal network underlying serial ordering using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We exposed 25 young and 27 older healthy adults to a digit ordering task, where they had to reorder and recall sequential digits or simply to recall them. We detected a network comprising of the lateral and medial prefrontal, posterior parietal, and striatal regions. In young adults, the prefrontal and parietal regions were more activated and more strongly connected with the supplementary motor area for "reorder & recall" than "pure recall" trials (psychophysiological interaction, PPI). In older adults, the prefrontal and parietal activations were elevated, but the PPI was attenuated. Individual adults who had a stronger PPI performed more accurately in "reorder & recall" trials. The decreased PPI appeared to be compensated by increased physiological correlations between the prefrontal/parietal cortex and the striatum, and by that between the striatum and the supplementary motor area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Ye
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Guanyu Zhang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuaiqi Li
- Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingshuang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weizhong Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhou
- Center for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Thomas F Münte
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
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20
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Coppola G, Di Renzo A, Petolicchio B, Tinelli E, Di Lorenzo C, Serrao M, Calistri V, Tardioli S, Cartocci G, Parisi V, Caramia F, Di Piero V, Pierelli F. Increased neural connectivity between the hypothalamus and cortical resting-state functional networks in chronic migraine. J Neurol 2019; 267:185-191. [PMID: 31606759 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The findings of resting-state functional MRI studies have suggested that abnormal functional integration between interconnected cortical networks characterises the brain of patients with migraine. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional connectivity between the hypothalamus, brainstem, considered as the migraine generator, and the following areas/networks that are reportedly involved in the pathophysiology of migraine: default mode network (DMN), executive control network, dorsal attention system, and primary and dorsoventral visual networks. METHODS Twenty patients with chronic migraine (CM) without medication overuse and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were prospectively recruited. All study participants underwent 3-T MRI scans using a 7.5-min resting-state protocol. Using a seed-based approach, we performed a ROI-to-ROI analysis selecting the hypothalamus as the seed. RESULTS Compared to HCs, patients with CM showed significantly increased neural connectivity between the hypothalamus and brain areas belonging to the DMN and dorsal visual network. We did not detect any connectivity abnormalities between the hypothalamus and the brainstem. The correlation analysis showed that the severity of the migraine headache was positively correlated with the connectivity strength of the hypothalamus and negatively with the connectivity strength of the medial prefrontal cortex, which belongs to the DMN. CONCLUSION These data provide evidence for hypothalamic involvement in large-scale reorganisation at the functional-network level in CM and in proportion with the perceived severity of the migraine pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Coppola
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Renzo
- Research Unit of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Livenza 3, 00198, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Tinelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mariano Serrao
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | - Valentina Calistri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Tardioli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Cartocci
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parisi
- Research Unit of Neurophysiology of Vision and Neurophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Livenza 3, 00198, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Caramia
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Di Piero
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pierelli
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
- IRCCS-Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
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21
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Abstract
Healthy aging is associated with numerous deficits in cognitive function, which have been attributed to changes within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). This chapter summarizes some of the most prominent cognitive changes associated with age-related alterations in the anatomy and physiology of the PFC. Specifically, aging of the PFC results in deficient aspects of cognitive control, including sustained attention, selective attention, inhibitory control, working memory, and multitasking abilities. Yet, not all cognitive functions associated with the PFC exhibit age-related declines, such as arithmetic, comprehension, emotion perception, and emotional control. Moreover, not all older adults exhibit declines in cognition. Multiple life-course and lifestyle factors, as well as genetics, play a role in the trajectory of cognitive performance across the life span. Thus many adults retain cognitive function well into advanced age. Moreover, the brain remains plastic throughout life and there is increasing evidence that most age-related declines in cognition can be remediated by various methods such as physical exercise, cognitive training, or noninvasive brain stimulation. Overall, because cognitive aging is associated with numerous life-course and lifestyle factors, successful aging likely begins in early life, while maintaining cognition or remediating declines is a life-long process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore P Zanto
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; Neuroscape, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Adam Gazzaley
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; Departments of Physiology and Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; Neuroscape, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.
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22
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Suzuki M, Kawagoe T, Nishiguchi S, Abe N, Otsuka Y, Nakai R, Asano K, Yamada M, Yoshikawa S, Sekiyama K. Neural Correlates of Working Memory Maintenance in Advanced Aging: Evidence From fMRI. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:358. [PMID: 30459595 PMCID: PMC6232505 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM)-related brain activity is known to be modulated by aging; particularly, older adults demonstrate greater activity than young adults. However, it is still unclear whether the activity increase in older adults is also observed in advanced aging. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was designed to clarify the neural correlates of WM in advanced aging. Further, we set out to investigate in the case that adults of advanced age do show age-related increase in WM-related activity, what the functional significance of this over-recruitment might be. Two groups of older adults – “young–old” (61–70 years, n = 17) and “old–old” (77–82 years, n = 16) – were scanned while performing a visual WM task (the n-back task: 0-back and 1-back). WM effects (1-back > 0-back) common to both age groups were identified in several regions, including the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the inferior parietal cortex, and the insula. Greater WM effects in the old–old than in the young–old group were identified in the right caudal DLPFC. These results were replicated when we performed a separate analysis between two age groups with the same level of WM performance (the young–old vs. a “high-performing” subset of the old–old group). There were no regions where WM effects were greater in the young–old group than in the old–old group. Importantly, the magnitude of the over-recruitment WM effects positively correlated with WM performance in the old–old group, but not in the young–old group. The present findings suggest that cortical over-recruitment occurs in advanced old age, and that increased activity may serve a compensatory function in mediating WM performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki Suzuki
- Division of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Department of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Kawagoe
- Division of Human and Social Sciences, Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shu Nishiguchi
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Abe
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Otsuka
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Nakai
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Asano
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Minoru Yamada
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Kaoru Sekiyama
- Division of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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23
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Costello MC, Buss AT. Age-related Decline of Visual Working Memory: Behavioral Results Simulated with a Dynamic Neural Field Model. J Cogn Neurosci 2018; 30:1532-1548. [PMID: 29877766 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Visual working memory (VWM) is essential for executive function and is known to be compromised in older adults. Yet, the cognitive and neural processes associated with these age-related changes remain inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to explore such factors with a dynamic neural field (DNF) model that was manipulated to replicate the behavioral performances of younger and older adults in a change detection task. Although previous work has successfully modeled children and younger adult VWM performance, this study represents the first attempt to model older adult VWM performance within the DNF architecture. In the behavioral task, older adults performed worse than younger adults and exhibited a characteristic response bias that favored "same" over "different" responses. The DNF model was modified to capture the age group differences, with three parameter manipulations producing the best fit for the behavioral performances. The best-fitting model suggests that older adults operate through altered excitatory and inhibitory coupling and decreased inhibitory signals, resulting in wider and weaker neural signals. These results support a dedifferentiation account of brain aging, with older adults operating with wider and weaker neural signals because of decreased intracortical inhibition rather than increased stochastic neural noise.
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Lahr J, Minkova L, Tabrizi SJ, Stout JC, Klöppel S, Scheller E. Working Memory-Related Effective Connectivity in Huntington's Disease Patients. Front Neurol 2018; 9:370. [PMID: 29915555 PMCID: PMC5994408 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetically caused neurodegenerative disorder characterized by heterogeneous motor, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. Although motor symptoms may be the most prominent presentation, cognitive symptoms such as memory deficits and executive dysfunction typically co-occur. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and task fMRI-based dynamic causal modeling (DCM) to evaluate HD-related changes in the neural network underlying working memory (WM). Sixty-four pre-symptomatic HD mutation carriers (preHD), 20 patients with early manifest HD symptoms (earlyHD), and 83 healthy control subjects performed an n-back fMRI task with two levels of WM load. Effective connectivity was assessed in five predefined regions of interest, comprising bilateral inferior parietal cortex, left anterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. HD mutation carriers performed less accurately and more slowly at high WM load compared with the control group. While between-group comparisons of brain activation did not reveal differential recruitment of the cortical WM network in mutation carriers, comparisons of brain connectivity as identified with DCM revealed a number of group differences across the whole WM network. Most strikingly, we observed decreasing connectivity from several regions toward right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) in preHD and even more so in earlyHD. The deterioration in rDLPFC connectivity complements results from previous studies and might mirror beginning cortical neural decline at premanifest and early manifest stages of HD. We were able to characterize effective connectivity in a WM network of HD mutation carriers yielding further insight into patterns of cognitive decline and accompanying neural deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Lahr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lora Minkova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julie C Stout
- School of Psychological Sciences, Institute of Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefan Klöppel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Center for Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Elisa Scheller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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