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Age-Related Atrophy and Compensatory Neural Networks in Reading Comprehension.


ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Despite changes to brain integrity with aging, some functions like basic language processes remain remarkably preserved. One theory for the maintenance of function in light of age-related brain atrophy is the engagement of compensatory brain networks. This study examined age-related changes in the neural networks recruited for simple language comprehension. METHODS:Sixty-five adults (native English-speaking, right-handed, and cognitively normal) aged 17-85 years underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reading paradigm and structural scanning. The fMRI data were analyzed using independent component analysis to derive brain networks associated with reading comprehension. RESULTS:Two typical frontotemporal language networks were identified, and these networks remained relatively stable across the wide age range. In contrast, three attention-related networks showed increased activation with increasing age. Furthermore, the increased recruitment of a dorsal attention network was negatively correlated to gray matter thickness in temporal regions, whereas an anterior frontoparietal network was positively correlated to gray matter thickness in insular regions. CONCLUSIONS:We found evidence that older adults can exert increased effort and recruit additional attentional resources to maintain their reading abilities in light of increased cortical atrophy.

SUBMITTER: Fitzhugh MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6816336 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Age-Related Atrophy and Compensatory Neural Networks in Reading Comprehension.

Fitzhugh Megan C MC   Braden B Blair BB   Sabbagh Marwan N MN   Rogalsky Corianne C   Baxter Leslie C LC  

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS 20190429 6


<h4>Objectives</h4>Despite changes to brain integrity with aging, some functions like basic language processes remain remarkably preserved. One theory for the maintenance of function in light of age-related brain atrophy is the engagement of compensatory brain networks. This study examined age-related changes in the neural networks recruited for simple language comprehension.<h4>Methods</h4>Sixty-five adults (native English-speaking, right-handed, and cognitively normal) aged 17-85 years underwe  ...[more]

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