Functional and structural correlates of working memory performance and stability in healthy older adults.

Functional and structural correlates of working memory performance and stability in healthy older adults. Brain Struct Funct. 2019 Dec 23;: Authors: Vaqué-Alcázar L, Sala-Llonch R, Abellaneda-Pérez K, Coll-Padrós N, Valls-Pedret C, Bargalló N, Ros E, Bartrés-Faz D Abstract Despite the well-described deleterious effects of aging on cognition, some individuals are able to show stability. Here, we aimed to describe the functional and structural brain characteristics of older individuals, particularly focusing on those with stable working memory (WM) performance, as measured with a verbal N-back task across a 2-year follow-up interval. Forty-seven subjects were categorized as stables or decliners based on their WM change. Stables were further subdivided into high performers (SHP) and low performers (SLP), based on their baseline scores. At both time points, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were acquired, including task-based functional MRI (fMRI) and structural T1-MRI. Although there was no significant interaction between overall stables and decliners as regards fMRI patterns, decliners exhibited over-activation in the right superior parietal lobule at follow-up as compared to baseline, while SHP showed reduced the activity in this region. Further, at follow-up, decliners exhibited more activity than SHP but in left temporo-parietal cortex and posterior cingulate (i.e., non-task-related areas). Also, at the cross-sectional lev...
Source: Brain Structure and Function - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Brain Struct Funct Source Type: research