scholarly journals Sex differences in age- and episodic memory-related effects on task-based functional connectivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivaniya Subramaniapillai ◽  
Sricharana Rajagopal ◽  
Elizabeth Ankudowich ◽  
Stamatoula Pasvanis ◽  
Bratislav Misic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Cognitive Networks ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Memory Decline ◽  
Face Location

Healthy aging is associated with episodic memory decline. However, little is known about sex differences in the effect of normative aging on memory-related brain network dynamics. Here, we used a data-driven multivariate partial least squares (PLS) connectivity analysis to identify similarities and differences in the effect of biological sex on age- and memory-related differences in task-based fMRI connectivity during encoding and retrieval of face-location associations (spatial context memory). Aging was associated with episodic memory decline in both sexes, but there were no significant sex or sex-by-age interactions in memory performance. The connectivity results show that men exhibited greater between-network connectivity with advanced age, which was detrimental to memory performance. Women exhibited reduced connectivity between visual and higher order cognitive networks with advanced age, which was detrimental to memory performance. Therefore, there are sex differences in the effect of age on episodic memory-related connectivity.

scholarly journals Towards understanding neural network signatures of motor skill learning in Parkinson’s disease and healthy aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (1101) ◽  
pp. 20190071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelien Nackaerts ◽  
Nicholas D'Cruz ◽  
Bauke W Dijkstra ◽  
Moran Gilat ◽  
Thomas Kramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Motor Learning ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Cognitive Networks ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Detailed Knowledge

In the past decade, neurorehabilitation has been shown to be an effective therapeutic supplement for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, patients still experience severe problems with the consolidation of learned motor skills. Knowledge on the neural correlates underlying this process is thus essential to optimize rehabilitation for PD. This review investigates the existing studies on neural network connectivity changes in relation to motor learning in healthy aging and PD and critically evaluates the imaging methods used from a methodological point of view. The results indicate that despite neurodegeneration there is still potential to modify connectivity within and between motor and cognitive networks in response to motor training, although these alterations largely bypass the most affected regions in PD. However, so far training-related changes are inferred and possible relationships are not substantiated by brain–behavior correlations. Furthermore, the studies included suffer from many methodological drawbacks. This review also highlights the potential for using neural network measures as predictors for the response to rehabilitation, mainly based on work in young healthy adults. We speculate that future approaches, including graph theory and multimodal neuroimaging, may be more sensitive than brain activation patterns and model-based connectivity maps to capture the effects of motor learning. Overall, this review suggests that methodological developments in neuroimaging will eventually provide more detailed knowledge on how neural networks are modified by training, thereby paving the way for optimized neurorehabilitation for patients.

scholarly journals Preliminary Evidence for a Sex-Specific Relationship between Amount of Cannabis Use and Neurocognitive Performance in Young Adult Cannabis Users

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1009-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natania A. Crane ◽  
Randi Melissa Schuster ◽  
Raul Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAccumulating evidence suggests neuropsychological deficits from cannabis use, with a burgeoning area of preclinical research indicating possible sex-differences. However, few studies have examined how cannabis use may differentially impact neurocognition in male and female cannabis users. As such, we examined potential sex-differences in associations between amount of cannabis use (across several time frames) and neurocognitive performance among young adult regular cannabis users. Consistent with previous studies, more cannabis use was generally associated with poorer episodic memory and decision-making, but not other measures of inhibitory control. However, patterns of results suggested sex-specific dissociations. In particular, more cannabis use was more consistently associated with poorer episodic memory performance in females than males. Conversely, more cannabis use was associated with poorer decision-making performance for males, but not females. These results provide further evidence for residual cannabis-associated neurocognitive deficits and suggest the importance of examining the impact of cannabis on neurocognition separately for males and females. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–7)

scholarly journals Music-Based Intervention Connects Auditory and Reward Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milena Aiello Quinci ◽  
Alexander Belden ◽  
Valerie Goutama ◽  
Dayang Gong ◽  
Suzanne Hanser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Reward Systems ◽  
Post Intervention

Abstract Listening to pleasurable music is known to engage the brain’s reward system. This has motivated many cognitive-behavioral interventions for healthy aging, but little is known about the effects of music-based intervention (MBI) on plasticity of the cognitive and reward systems. Here we show preliminary evidence that brain network connectivity can change after receptive MBI in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Using a combination of whole-brain regression, seed-based connectivity analysis, and representational similarity analysis (RSA), we examined fMRI responses during music listening in older adults before and after an eight-week personalized MBI. Participants rated self-selected and researcher-selected musical excerpts on liking and familiarity. Parametric effects of liking, familiarity, and selection showed simultaneous activation in auditory, reward, and default mode network (DMN) areas. Seed-based connectivity comparing pre- and post-intervention showed significant increase in functional connectivity between auditory regions and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC); this auditory-mPFC connectivity was modulated by participant liking and familiarity ratings. RSA showed significant representations of selection and novelty at both time-points, and an increase in striatal representation of musical stimuli following intervention. Taken together, results show how regular music listening can provide an auditory channel towards the mPFC, thus offering a potential neural mechanism for MBI supporting healthy aging.

scholarly journals Elevated systolic blood pressure is associated with episodic memory decline in healthy aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (S10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Solé‐Padullés ◽  
Lídia Vaqué‐Alcázar ◽  
Kilian Abellaneda‐Pérez ◽  
Emilio Ros ◽  
David Bartres‐Faz
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Memory Decline ◽  
Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure

scholarly journals Anticholinergic Amnesia is Mediated by Alterations in Human Network Connectivity Architecture

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 3445-3456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmeer P Chhatwal ◽  
Aaron P Schultz ◽  
Trey Hedden ◽  
Brendon P Boot ◽  
Sarah Wigman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Anticholinergic Drug ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Anticholinergic Drugs ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Clinically Normal

Abstract Disrupted cholinergic neurotransmission plays a central role in Alzheimer’s disease, medication-induced memory impairment, and delirium. At the systems level, this suggests anticholinergic drugs may alter the activity and interplay of anatomically distributed neural networks critical for memory function. Using a network-sensitive imaging technique (functional connectivity MRI) and a double-blind, crossover design, we examined the consequences of anticholinergic drug administration on episodic memory and functional network architecture in a group of clinically normal elderly. We observed that low-dose scopolamine (0.2 mg IV) decreased episodic memory performance and selectively decreased connectivity strength in 3 of 7 cortical networks. Both memory and connectivity effects were independent of β-amyloid burden. Drug-induced connectivity changes within the Default and Salience networks, as well as reductions in the strength of anticorrelation between these 2 networks, were sufficient to fully statistically mediate the effects of scopolamine on memory performance. These results provide experimental support for the importance of the Default and Salience networks to memory performance and suggest scopolamine-induced amnesia is underpinned by disrupted connectivity within and between these 2 networks. More broadly, these results support the potential utility of fcMRI as tool examine the systems-level pharmacology of psychoactive drugs.

scholarly journals Age-Related Compensatory Reconfiguration of PFC Connections during Episodic Memory Retrieval

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lifu Deng ◽  
Mathew L Stanley ◽  
Zachary A Monge ◽  
Erik A Wing ◽  
Benjamin R Geib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Memory Retrieval ◽  
Medial Temporal Lobe ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Functional Integration ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Connectivity Patterns ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Related Increase

Abstract During demanding cognitive tasks, older adults (OAs) frequently show greater prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity than younger adults (YAs). This age-related increase in PFC activity is often associated with enhanced cognitive performance, suggesting functional compensation. However, the brain is a complex network of interconnected regions, and it is unclear how network connectivity of PFC regions differs for OAs versus YAs. To investigate this, we examined the age-related difference on the functional brain networks mediating episodic memory retrieval. YAs and OAs participants encoded and recalled visual scenes, and age-related differences in network topology during memory retrieval were investigated as a function of memory performance. We measured both changes in functional integration and reconfiguration in connectivity patterns. The study yielded three main findings. First, PFC regions were more functionally integrated with the rest of the brain network in OAs. Critically, this age-related increase in PFC integration was associated with better retrieval performance. Second, PFC regions showed stronger performance-related reconfiguration of connectivity patterns in OAs. Finally, the PFC reconfiguration increases in OAs tracked reconfiguration reductions in the medial temporal lobe (MTL)—a core episodic memory region, suggesting that PFC connectivity in OAs may be compensating for MTL deficits.

scholarly journals Sex differences in age- and performance-related patterns of brain activity during episodic encoding and retrieval of spatial contextual details

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivaniya Subramaniapillai ◽  
Sricharana Rajagopal ◽  
Abdelhalim Elshiekh ◽  
Stamatoula Pasvanis ◽  
Elizabeth Ankudowich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Decline ◽  
Retrieval Accuracy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Episodic Encoding ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Effect Of Age ◽  
Context Memory

AbstractAging is associated with episodic memory decline and alterations in memory-related brain function. However, it remains unclear if age-related memory decline is associated with similar patterns of brain aging in women and men. In the current task fMRI study, we tested the hypothesis that there are sex differences in the effect of age and memory performance on brain activity during episodic encoding and retrieval of face-location associations (spatial context memory). Forty-one women and 41 men between the ages of 21 to 76 years participated in this study. Between-group multivariate partial least squares (PLS) analysis of the fMRI data was conducted to directly test for sex-group differences and similarities in age-related and performance-related patterns of brain activity. Our behavioural analysis indicated no significant sex differences in retrieval accuracy on the fMRI tasks. In relation to performance effects, we observed similarities and differences in how retrieval accuracy related to brain activity in women and men. Both sexes activated dorsal and lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), inferior parietal cortex (IPC) and left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) at encoding and this supported subsequent memory performance. However, there were sex differences in retrieval activity in these same regions and in lateral occipital-temporal and ventrolateral PFC. In relation to age effects, we observed sex differences in the effect of age on memory-related activity within PFC, IPC, PHG and lateral occipital-temporal cortices. Overall, our findings suggest that the neural correlates of age-related spatial context memory decline differ in women compared to men.

Hippocampal-Subregion Mechanisms of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Causally Associated with Amelioration of Episodic Memory in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jiu Chen ◽  
Rong Chen ◽  
Chen Xue ◽  
Wenzhang Qi ◽  
Guanjie Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Memory Decline

Background: Altered hippocampal subregions (HIPsub) and their network connectivity relate to episodic memory decline in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which is significantly limited by over-dependence on correlational associations. Objective: To identify whether restoration of HIPsub and its network connectivity using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is causally linked to amelioration of episodic memory in aMCI. Methods: In the first cohort, analysis of HIPsub grey matter (GM) and its functional connectivity was performed to identify an episodic memory-related circuit in aMCI by using a pattern classification approach. In the second cohort, this circuit was experimentally modulated with rTMS. Structural equation modeling was employed to investigate rTMS regulatory mechanism in amelioration of episodic memory. Results: First, in the first cohort, this study identified HIPsub circuit pathology of episodic memory decline in aMCI patients. Second, in the second cohort, restoration of HIPc GM and its connectivity with left middle temporal gyrus (MTG.L) are causally associated with amelioration of episodic memory in aMCI after 4 weeks of rTMS. Especially important, the effects of HIPc GM changes on the improvement of episodic memory were significantly mediated by HIPc connectivity with MTG.L changes in aMCI. Conclusion: This study provides novel experimental evidence about a biological substrate for the treatment of the disabling episodic memory in aMCI patients. Correction of breakdown in HIPc structure and its connectivity with MTG can causally ameliorate episodic memory in aMCI.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document