Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 408.1 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Structural MRI covariance patterns associated with normal aging and cognition. |
| Authors: |
Brickman, A. M.*1
; Habeck, C.1
; Zarahn, E.1
; Flynn, J.1
; Stern, Y.1
1Taub Inst., Columbia Univ., New York, NY |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human Cognition, Behavior, and Anatomy -- Cognitive aging |
| Session: |
408. Cognitive Aging II Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 14, 2005 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Hall A-C, Board # DD5 |
| Keywords: | MRI, AGING, COGNITION |
MRI studies have shown dramatic age-associated changes in grey and white matter volume, but typically use univariate analyses that do not explicitly test the interrelationship among brain regions. The current study employed a multivariate approach to identify covariance patterns of grey and white matter tissue density to distinguish older from younger adults. A second aim was to examine whether the expression of these age-associated covariance topographies is related to performance on cognitive tests affected by normal aging. Methods: 84 young (M age=24.0) and 29 older (M age=73.1) participants were scanned with a 1.5 T MRI and assessed with a cognitive battery. Images were spatially normalized and segmented to produce grey and white matter density maps. A multivariate covariance technique, based on the Subprofile Scaling Model, was used to capture sources of between- and within-group variation and to produce a series of principal components (PCs). The analysis identified a linear combination of the PCs that represented a “pattern” or “network” that best discriminated between younger and older groups. Results: Grey and white matter covariance patterns were identified that reliably discriminated between the groups (sensitivity and specificity >.90). For grey matter, the network involved widespread cortical and subcortical regions. For white matter, the pattern involved periventricular and deep frontal regions. Age and the expression of both patterns were significantly associated with performance on tests of memory and executive functioning, but the relationship between age and cognition was reduced to non-significance when controlling for expression of the patterns. Discussion: This is the first study to our knowledge that has used a multivariate covariance approach to examine age-related morphological change. The results suggest that identifiable networks of grey and white matter regions systematically decline with age. Decline in pattern expression is closely linked with age-related cognitive change.
Supported by NIH AG024708 (AMB)
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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