The Longitudinal Trajectory of Default Mode Network Connectivity in Healthy Older Adults Varies As a Function of Age and Is Associated with Changes in Episodic Memory and Processing Speed
Journal of Neuroscience February 13, 2018 A. Staffaroni, Jesse A. Brown, K. Casaletto et al.
The default mode network (DMN) and whole-brain functional connectivity change nonlinearly with age in cognitively normal older adults. Among 111 adults aged 49–87, connectivity tended to increase between ages 50–66 and then declined significantly after age 74. Changes in within-DMN connectivity were specifically linked to changes in episodic memory and processing speed, but not working memory or executive functions. The memory association remained even after accounting for white matter hyperintensities and whole-brain connectivity, suggesting that DMN connectivity is a marker of memory performance in healthy aging. APOE status did not predict connectivity or its change over time.