Preserved wake-dependent cortical excitability dynamics predict cognitive fitness beyond age-related brain alterations

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0693-y
• Publication Date: 2019-12-03T11:04:18Z
• Authors: Maxime Van Egroo; Justinas Narbutas; Daphne Chylinski; Pamela Villar Gon...; Pouya Ghaemmaghami; Vincenzo Muto; Christina Schmidt; Giulia Gaggioni; Gabriel Besson; Xavier Pépin; Elif Tezel; Davide Marzoli; Caroline Le Goff; Etienne Cavalier; André Luxen; Eric Salmon; Pierre Maquet; Mohamed Ali Bahri; Christophe Phillips; Christine Bastin; Fabienne Collette; Gilles Vandewalle
• Keywords: Cognitive Decline

Abstract Age-related cognitive decline arises from alterations in brain structure as well sleep-wake regulation. Here, we investigated whether preserved wake-dependent regulation of cortical function could represent a positive factor for fitness aging. We quantified excitability dynamics during prolonged wakefulness sensitive marker age-related alteration 60 healthy older individuals (50–69 y; 42 women). Brain structural integrity was assessed with amyloid-beta- and tau-PET, MRI. Participants’ cognition using an extensive neuropsychological task battery. show that exhibit better performance, particularly the executive domain which is essential to successful Critically, this association remained significant after accounting measures. Preserved basic therefore be aging, independently modifications can ultimately lead dementia.