Functional connectivity change across multiple cortical networks relates to episodic memory changes in aging

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.08.020
• Publication Date: 2015-08-24T23:46:36Z
• Authors: Anders M. Fjell; Markus H. Sneve; Håkon Grydeland; Andreas B. Storsve; Ann-Marie Glasø d...; Inge K. Amlien; Ole J. Røgeberg; Kristine B. Walhovd
• Keywords: Cognitive aging; Cognitive Decline

A major task of contemporary cognitive neuroscience of aging is to explain why episodic memory declines. Change in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) could be a mechanism accounting for reduced function. We addressed this through 3 studies. In study 1, 119 healthy participants (20-83 years) were followed for 3.5 years with verbal recall testing and magnetic resonance imaging. Independent of atrophy, recall change was related to change in rsFC in anatomically widespread areas. Striking age-effects were observed in that a positive relationship between rsFC and memory characterized older participants while a negative relationship was seen among the younger and middle-aged. This suggests that cognitive consequences of rsFC change are not stable across age. In study 2 and 3, the age-dependent differences in rsFC-memory relationship were replicated by use of a simulation model (study 2) and by a cross-sectional experimental recognition memory task (study 3). In conclusion, memory changes were related to altered rsFC in an age-dependent manner, and future research needs to detail the mechanisms behind age-varying relationships.