title: Age-dependent change in executive function and gamma 40 Hz phase synchrony.
abstract: Decline in cognitive function is well recognized, yet few neurophysiological correlates of age-related cognitive decline have been identified. In this study we examined the impact of age on neurocognitive function and Gamma phase synchrony among 550 normal subjects (aged 11-70). Gamma phase synchrony was acquired to targets in the auditory oddball paradigm. The two tasks of executive function were switching of attention and an electronic maze. Subjects were divided into four age groups, which were balanced for sex. We hypothesized that reduced cognitive performance among older healthy individuals would be associated with age-related changes in gamma phase synchrony. Results showed a significant decrease in executive function in the oldest (51-70 years) age group. ANOVAs of age-by-frontal Gamma synchrony also showed a significant effect of age on Gamma phase synchrony in the left frontal region that corresponded modestly to the age effect found on executive task performance, with reduced performance associated with increased gamma synchrony. The results indicate that age-related changes in cognitive function evident among elderly individuals may in part be related to decreased ability to integrate information and this may be reflected as a compensatory increase in gamma synchrony in frontal regions of the brain.
authors: Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI 02903, USA. RPaul@lifespan.org
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Paul
authors: C Richard
authors: CR
authors: Clark
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Lawrence
authors: Elkhonon
authors: E
authors: Goldberg
authors: Leanne M
authors: LM
authors: Williams
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Cooper
authors: Ronald A
authors: RA
authors: Cohen
authors: Adam M
authors: AM
authors: Brickman
authors: Evian
authors: E
authors: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*