Reduced resting-state brain activity in the “default network” in normal aging
Cerebral Cortex. 2007-12-05; 18(8): 1856-1864
DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhm207
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1. Cereb Cortex. 2008 Aug;18(8):1856-64. Epub 2007 Dec 5.
Reduced resting-state brain activity in the “default network” in normal aging.
Damoiseaux JS(1), Beckmann CF, Arigita EJ, Barkhof F, Scheltens P, Stam CJ, Smith
SM, Rombouts SA.
Author information:
(1)Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081
HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Normal aging is associated with cognitive decline. Functions such as attention,
information processing, and working memory are compromised. It has been
hypothesized that not only regional changes, but also alterations in the
integration of regional brain activity (functional brain connectivity) underlie
the observed age-related deficits. Here, we examined the functional properties of
brain networks based on spontaneous fluctuations within brain systems using
functional magnetic resonance imaging. We hypothesized that functional
connectivity of intrinsic brain activity in the “default-mode” network (DMN) is
affected by normal aging and that this relates to cognitive function. Ten younger
and 22 older subjects were scanned at “rest,” that is, lying awake with eyes
closed. Our results show decreased activity in older versus younger subjects in 2
resting-state networks (RSNs) resembling the previously described DMN, containing
the superior and middle frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, middle temporal
gyrus, and the superior parietal region. These results remain significant after
correction for RSN-specific gray matter volume. The relevance of these findings
is illustrated by the correlation between reduced activity of one of these RSNs
and less effective executive functioning/processing speed in the older group.
DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhm207
PMID: 18063564 [Indexed for MEDLINE]