Distinct aspects of frontal lobe structure mediate age-related differences in fluid intelligence and multitasking

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6658
• Publication Date: 2014-12-18T10:28:28Z
• Authors: Rogier A. Kievit; Simon W. Davis; Daniel J. Mitchell; Jason R. Taylor; John Duncan; ; Lorraine K. Tyler; Carol Brayne; Ed Bullmore; Andrew Calder; Rhodri Cusack; Tim Dalgleish; Fiona Matthews; William Marslen-W...; James Rowe; Meredith Shafto; Karen Campbell; Teresa Cheung; Linda Geerligs; Anna McCarrey; Kamen Tsvetanov; Nitin Williams; Lauren Bates; Tina Emery; Sharon Erzinçlioglu; Andrew Gadie; Sofia Gerbase; Stanimira Georgieva; Claire Hanley; Beth Parkin; David Troy; Jodie Allen; Gillian Amery; Liana Amunts; Anne Barcroft; Amanda Castle; Cheryl Dias; Jonathan Dowrick; Melissa Fair; Hayley Fisher; Anna Goulding; Adarsh Grewal; Geoff Hale; Andrew Hilton; Frances Johnson; Patricia Johnston; Thea Kavanagh-Wil...; Magdalena Kwasnie...; Alison McMinn; Kim Norman; Jessica Penrose; Fiona Roby; Diane Rowland; John Sargeant; Maggie Squire; Beth Stevens; Aldabra Stoddart; Cheryl Stone; Tracy Thompson; Ozlem Yazlik; Dan Barnes; Marie Dixon; Jaya Hillman; Joanne Mitchell; Laura Villis; Richard N.A. Henson
• Keywords: Human multitasking; Neurocognitive; Frontal lobe

Abstract Ageing is characterized by declines on a variety of cognitive measures. These are often attributed to general, unitary underlying cause, such as reduction in executive function owing atrophy the prefrontal cortex. However, age-related changes likely multifactorial, and relationship between neural measures not well-understood. Here we address this large ( N =567), population-based sample drawn from Cambridge Centre for Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) data. We relate fluid intelligence multitasking multiple brain measures, including grey matter various regions white integrity connecting those regions. show that separable abilities, with differential sensitivities age, which mediated distinct subsystems different prediction older versus younger individuals. results suggest ageing manifold process demanding multifaceted models neurocognitive ageing.