Study of the relationship between executive functioning and episodic memory performance in multiple sclerosis using the Test of Memory Strategies

Background: We used graph theoretical analysis to quantify structural connectivity of the hippocampal-related episodic memory network and its association with memory performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods: Brain diffusion and T1-weighted sequences were obtained from 71 MS patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). A total of 30 gray matter regions (selected a priori) were used as seeds to perform probabilistic tractography and create connectivity matrices. Global, nodal, and edge graph theoretical properties were calculated. In patients, verbal and visuospatial memory was assessed. Results: MS patients showed decreased network strength, assortativity, transitivity, global efficiency, and increased average path length. Several nodes had decreased strength and communicability in patients, whereas insula and left temporo-occipital cortex increased communicability. Patients had widespread decreased streamline count (SC) and communicability of edges, although a few ones increased their connectivity. Worse memory performance was associated with reduced network efficiency, decreased right hippocampus strength, and reduced SC and communicability of edges related to medial temporal lobe, thalamus, insula, and occipital cortex. Conclusion: Impaired structural connectivity occurs in the hippocampal-related memory network, decreasing the efficiency of information transmission. Network connectivity measures correlate with episodic memory, supporting the relevance of structural integrity in preserving memory processes in MS.

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P1-670: BRIDGING POSITIONS IN A SOCIAL NETWORK MODERATES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND EPISODIC MEMORY PERFORMANCE AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.682 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 14 (7S_Part_11) ◽

pp. P600-P600

Author(s):

Hairin Kim ◽

Seyul Kwak ◽

Jeanyung Chey ◽

Yoosik Youm ◽

Junsol Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

The Relationship

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Grey and White Matter Pathways Underlying the Relationship Between Aerobically Active Lifestyle, Cardiorespiratory Function, and Episodic Memory in the Aging Human Brain

10.1101/2020.12.20.423704 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tamir Eisenstein ◽

Nir Giladi ◽

Ofer Havakuk ◽

Yulia Lerner

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Hippocampal Volume ◽

Active Lifestyle ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Aerobic Activity ◽

Cardiorespiratory Function ◽

Microstructural Integrity ◽

The Relationship

AbstractAging is associated with structural alterations of the hippocampus, a key region in episodic memory processes. Aerobic activity and maximal aerobic capacity (MAC), a key measure of cardiorespiratory function and a physiological adaptation of aerobic exercise, have been associated with biological and cognitive resilience of the brain. However, investigations of their relationship with the hippocampus in humans had resulted with inconsistent findings. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lifestyle’s aerobic activity and MAC and hippocampal grey and white matter structure, as well as episodic memory performance in cognitively healthy older adults. In addition, we examined the relationship between aerobic activity and MAC, and cerebrovascular pathology expressed as white matter lesions (WML). Next, we used a regression-based mediation analysis to examine possible biological pathways which may underlie the relationship between MAC and hippocampal volume, which was demonstrated in previous works, and was confirmed in the current study. Fifty cognitively healthy older adults (70.92 ± 3.9 years) were divided into aerobically active (n=27) and non-active (n=23) groups, and performed structural and diffusion MRI. Forty-two participants were also evaluated for MAC. Aerobically active lifestyle and higher MAC were associated with increased hippocampal volume and microstructural integrity, as well as increased fornix microstructural integrity, and lower WML burden (p<.05). In addition, both factors were correlated with increased episodic memory performance (p<.05). Mediation analysis revealed two pathways potentially mediating the relationship between MAC, hippocampal volume, and episodic memory – a white matter pathway consisted of WML and fornix microstructure, and grey matter pathway including hippocampal microstructure. These findings shed light on possible neurobiological mechanisms that could potentially underlie the neuroprotective effect of cardiorespiratory function and aerobic physical activity on hippocampal macrostructure and memory function in the aging human brain.

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SUBJECTIVE MEMORY COMPLAINTS AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE: THE MODERATING ROLE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2425 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S654-S654

Author(s):

Elizabeth A Gallagher

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Health Concern ◽

Subjective Memory Complaints ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Memory Complaints ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Cognitive health is a rising public health concern in the U.S. Currently, approximately 5.7 million older adults suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and by the year 2050 this number is expected to increase to 14 million. Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are shown to be an early indicator of cognitive decline, and accordingly included as a clinical criterion for diagnoses of MCI, an indicator of pre-dementia states, and a research criterion for AD diagnoses. Among older adults, depressive symptoms hinder the accuracy of memory self-ratings. However, there has yet to be consensus regarding the nature of how depressive symptoms may condition the relationship between SMC and cognitive performance. The aims of the present study are to both investigate whether SMC is related to episodic memory and to determine whether depressive symptoms act as a moderator for the relationship between SMC and episodic memory among older adults. This research used nationally representative sample of 8,123 older adults aged 65 and older who completed the Leave Behind Questionnaire in the 2012 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Linear regression was performed and results showed that there was a significant main effect of SMC on episodic memory performance, in that older adults with increased SMC have worse episodic memory. There was also a significant moderating effect of depressive symptoms, in that depressive symptoms cause older adults to underestimate their memory abilities. In order to use SMC as a tool for early detection efforts it is critical to understand these complex relationships.

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Spatial Visualization Ability Mediates the Male Advantage in Spatial and Visual Episodic Memory

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000207 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 194-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Karen L. Siedlecki

Keyword(s):

Episodic Memory ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Visual Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Spatial Visualization ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

Female Advantage ◽

Male Advantage ◽

The Relationship ◽

Verbal Episodic Memory

Abstract. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 94 (N = 326) completed a battery of episodic memory tasks, as well as several measures of spatial visualization. A female advantage in verbal episodic memory and a male advantage in spatial and visual episodic memory were observed. Mediation analyses provided evidence that performance on spatial visualization tasks greatly influences the magnitude of the effect for sex differences among the different episodic memory constructs. In particular, the spatial visualization construct fully mediated the relationship between sex and episodic spatial memory performance. Further, when spatial visualization was included as a mediator in the model the relationship between sex and episodic verbal memory increased, and the relationship between sex and episodic visual memory reversed, such that women scored higher than men.

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Alterations in the Relationship Between Hippocampal Volume and Episodic Memory Performance in Preterm Children

Developmental Neuropsychology ◽

10.1080/87565641.2013.773003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 226-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Nicole Brunnemann ◽

Kerstin H. Kipp ◽

Ludwig Gortner ◽

Juliane Meng-Hentschel ◽

Panagiotis Papanagiotou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Episodic Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Hippocampal Volume ◽

Preterm Children ◽

The Relationship

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The relationship between cognitive function and high-resolution diffusion tensor MRI of the cingulum bundle in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458515576983 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (14) ◽

pp. 1794-1801 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Katherine A Koenig ◽

Ken E. Sakaie ◽

Mark J Lowe ◽

Jian Lin ◽

Lael Stone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Posterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Cognitive Testing ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Cingulum Bundle ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

Background: Imaging can provide noninvasive neural markers of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) that are related to behavioral and cognitive symptoms. Past work suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides a measure of white matter pathology, including demyelination and axonal counts. Objectives: In the current study, the authors investigate the relationship of DTI measures in the cingulum bundle to common deficits in MS, including episodic memory, working memory, and information processing speed. Methods: Fifty-seven patients with MS and 17 age- and education-matched controls underwent high-spatial resolution diffusion scans and cognitive testing. Probabilistic tracking was used to generate tracks from the posterior cingulate cortex to the entorhinal cortex. Results: Radial and axial diffusivity values were significantly different between patients and controls ( p < 0.031), and in patients bilateral diffusion measures were significantly related to measures of episodic memory and speed of processing ( p < 0.033). Conclusions: The tractography-based measures of posterior cingulum integrity reported here support further development of DTI as a viable measure of axonal integrity and cognitive function in patients with MS.

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The relationship between age, neural differentiation, and memory performance

10.1101/345181 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Joshua D. Koen ◽

Nedra Hauck ◽

Michael D. Rugg

Keyword(s):

Episodic Memory ◽

Neural Differentiation ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Age Related ◽

Cortical Regions ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline ◽

Neural Selectivity ◽

The Relationship ◽

Differentiation Index

AbstractHealthy aging is associated with decreased neural selectivity (dedifferentiation) in category-selective cortical regions. This finding has prompted the suggestion that dedifferentiation contributes to age-related cognitive decline. Consistent with this possibility, dedifferentiation has been reported to negatively correlate with fluid intelligence in older adults. Here, we examined whether dedifferentiation is associated with performance in another cognitive domain – episodic memory – that is also highly vulnerable to aging. Given the proposed role of differentiation in age-related cognitive decline, we predicted there would be a stronger link between dedifferentiation and episodic memory performance in older than in younger adults. Young (18-30 yrs) and older (64-75 yrs) male and female humans underwent fMRI scanning while viewing images of objects and scenes prior to a subsequent recognition memory test. We computed a differentiation index in two regions-of-interest (ROIs): parahippocampal place area (PPA) and lateral occipital complex (LOC). This index quantified the selectivity of the BOLD response to an ROI’s preferred versus non-preferred category (scenes for PPA, objects for LOC). The differentiation index in the PPA, but not the LOC, was lower in older than in younger adults. Additionally, the PPA differentiation index predicted recognition memory performance for the studied items. This relationship was independent of and not moderated by age. The PPA differentiation index also predicted performance on a latent ‘fluency’ factor derived from a neuropsychological test battery; this relationship was also age invariant. These findings suggest that two independent factors, one associated with age, and the other with cognitive performance, drive neural differentiation.Significance StatementAging is associated with neural dedifferentiation – reduced neural selectivity in ‘category selective’ cortical brain regions – which has been proposed to mediate cognitive aging. Here, we examined whether neural differentiation is predictive of episodic memory performance, and whether the relationship is moderated by age. A neural differentiation index was estimated for scene-(PPA) and object-(LOC) selective cortical regions while participants studied images for a subsequent memory test. Age related reductions were observed for the PPA, but not the LOC, differentiation index. Importantly, the PPA differentiation index demonstrated age invariant correlations with subsequent memory performance and a fluency factor derived from a neuropsychological battery. Together, these findings suggest that neural differentiation is associated with two independent factors: age and cognitive performance.

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