The left frontal cortex supports reserve in aging by enhancing functional network efficiency

Nicolai Franzmeier, Julia Hartmann, Alexander N. W. Taylor, Miguel A. Araque Caballero, Lee Simon-Vermot, Lana Kambeitz-Ilankovic, Katharina Buerger, Cihan Catak, Daniel Janowitz, Claudia Mueller, Birgit Ertl-Wagner, Robert Stahl, Martin Dichgans, Marco Duering, Michael Ewers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background
Recent evidence derived from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies suggests that functional hubs (i.e., highly connected brain regions) are important for mental health. We found recently that global connectivity of a hub in the left frontal cortex (LFC connectivity) is associated with relatively preserved memory abilities and higher levels of protective factors (education, IQ) in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. These results suggest that LFC connectivity supports reserve capacity, alleviating memory decline. An open question, however, is why LFC connectivity is beneficial and supports memory function in the face of neurodegeneration. We hypothesized that higher LFC connectivity is associated with enhanced efficiency in connected major networks involved in episodic memory. We further hypothesized that higher LFC-related network efficiency predicts higher memory abilities.

Methods
We assessed fMRI during a face-name association learning task performed by 26 healthy, cognitively normal elderly participants. Using beta-series correlation analysis, we computed task-related LFC connectivity to key memory networks, including the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAN). Network efficiency within the DMN and DAN was estimated by the graph theoretical small-worldness statistic. We applied linear regression analyses to test the association between LFC connectivity with the DMN/DAN and small-worldness of these networks. Mediation analysis was applied to test LFC connectivity to the DMN and DAN as a mediator of the association between education and higher DMN and DAN small-worldness. Last, we tested network small-worldness as a predictor of memory performance.

Results
We found that higher LFC connectivity to the DMN and DAN during successful memory encoding and recognition was associated with higher small-worldness of those networks. Higher task-related LFC connectivity mediated the association between education and higher small-worldness in the DMN and DAN. Further, higher smallworldness of these networks predicted better performance in the memory task.

Conclusions
The present results suggest that higher education-related LFC connectivity to key memory networks during a memory task is associated with higher network efficiency and thus enhanced reserve of memory abilities in aging.
Original languageEnglish
Article number28
Number of pages12
JournalAlzheimer's Research & Therapy
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06 Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cognitive reserve
  • Aging
  • Memory task fMRI
  • Small-worldness
  • Fronto-parietal network
  • Frontoparietal control network
  • Frontal Lobe/diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Association Learning/physiology
  • Functional Laterality/physiology
  • Aging/pathology
  • Neural Pathways/diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Mapping
  • Female
  • Aged
  • Models, Neurological
  • Attention/physiology
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Oxygen/blood

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