John B Williamson1,2,3,4, Damon G Lamb1,2,3,4, Eric C Porges1,3, Sarah Bottari2,3, Adam J Woods1,3, Somnath Datta5, Kailey Langer1,3, Ronald A Cohen1,3,4. 1. Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Clinical Translational Research Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States. 2. Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States. 3. Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States. 4. Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, United States. 5. Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cerebral metabolites are associated with different physiological processes in brain aging. Cortical and limbic structures play important roles in cognitive aging; however, the relationship between these structures and age remains unclear with respect to physiological underpinnings. Regional differences in metabolite levels may be related to different structural and cognitive changes in aging. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy were obtained from 117 cognitively healthy older adults. Limbic and other key structural volumes were measured. Concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and choline-containing compounds (Cho) were measured in frontal and parietal regions. Neuropsychological testing was performed including measures of crystallized and fluid intelligence and memory. RESULTS: NAA in the frontal voxel was associated with limbic and cortical volumes, whereas Cho in parietal cortex was negatively associated with hippocampal and other regional volumes. Hippocampal volume was associated with forgetting, independent of age. Further, parietal Cho and hippocampal volume contributed independent variance to age corrected discrepancy between fluid and crystallized abilities. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that physiological changes with age in the frontal and parietal cortices may be linked to structural changes in other connected brain regions. These changes are differentially associated with cognitive performance, suggesting potentially divergent mechanisms.
BACKGROUND: Cerebral metabolites are associated with different physiological processes in brain aging. Cortical and limbic structures play important roles in cognitive aging; however, the relationship between these structures and age remains unclear with respect to physiological underpinnings. Regional differences in metabolite levels may be related to different structural and cognitive changes in aging. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy were obtained from 117 cognitively healthy older adults. Limbic and other key structural volumes were measured. Concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and choline-containing compounds (Cho) were measured in frontal and parietal regions. Neuropsychological testing was performed including measures of crystallized and fluid intelligence and memory. RESULTS: NAA in the frontal voxel was associated with limbic and cortical volumes, whereas Cho in parietal cortex was negatively associated with hippocampal and other regional volumes. Hippocampal volume was associated with forgetting, independent of age. Further, parietal Cho and hippocampal volume contributed independent variance to age corrected discrepancy between fluid and crystallized abilities. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that physiological changes with age in the frontal and parietal cortices may be linked to structural changes in other connected brain regions. These changes are differentially associated with cognitive performance, suggesting potentially divergent mechanisms.
Authors: Ronald A Cohen; Jaroslaw Harezlak; Assawin Gongvatana; Steven Buchthal; Giovanni Schifitto; Uraina Clark; Robert Paul; Michael Taylor; Paul Thompson; David Tate; Jeffery Alger; Mark Brown; Jianhui Zhong; Thomas Campbell; Elyse Singer; Eric Daar; Deborah McMahon; Yuen Tso; Constantin T Yiannoutsos; Bradford Navia Journal: J Neurovirol Date: 2010-10-20 Impact factor: 2.643
Authors: Eric C Porges; Adam J Woods; Damon G Lamb; John B Williamson; Ronald A Cohen; Richard A E Edden; Ashley D Harris Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2017-09-05 Impact factor: 6.556
Authors: Vishwadeep Ahluwalia; James B Wade; Leroy Thacker; Kenneth A Kraft; Richard K Sterling; R Todd Stravitz; Michael Fuchs; Iliana Bouneva; Puneet Puri; Velimir Luketic; Arun J Sanyal; Hochong Gilles; Douglas M Heuman; Jasmohan S Bajaj Journal: J Hepatol Date: 2013-05-07 Impact factor: 25.083
Authors: Rajendra A Morey; Christopher M Petty; Yuan Xu; Jasmeet Pannu Hayes; H Ryan Wagner; Darrell V Lewis; Kevin S LaBar; Martin Styner; Gregory McCarthy Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2008-12-30 Impact factor: 6.556