White Matter Integrity as a Marker for Cognitive Plasticity in Ageing

Publication date: Available online 15 July 2016
Source:Neurobiology of Aging
Author(s): Ann-Marie Glasø de Lange, Anne Cecilie Sjøli Bråthen, Håkon Grydeland, Claire Sexton, Heidi Johansen-Berg, Jesper L.R. Andersson, Darius A. Rohani, Lars Nyberg, Anders M. Fjell, Kristine B. Walhovd
Age-related differences in white matter (WM) integrity are substantial, but it is unknown whether between-subject variability in WM integrity influences the capacity for cognitive improvement. We investigated the effects of memory training relative to active and passive control conditions in older adults, and tested whether WM integrity at baseline was predictive of training benefits. We hypothesised that 1) memory improvement would be restricted to the training group, 2) widespread areas would show greater mean diffusivity (MD) and lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in older adults relative to young adults, and 3) within these areas, variability in WM microstructure in the older group would be predictive of training gains. The results showed that only the group receiving training improved their memory. Significant age differences in MD and FA were found in widespread areas. Within these areas, voxel-wise analyses showed a negative relationship between MD and memory improvement in three clusters, indicating that WM integrity could serve as a marker for the ability to adapt in response to cognitive challenges in ageing.



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