title: White matter integrity as a marker for cognitive plasticity in aging.
abstract: Age-related differences in white matter (WM) integrity are substantial, but it is unknown whether between-subject variability in WM integrity influences the capacity for cognitive improvement. We investigated the effects of memory training related to active and passive control conditions in older adults and tested whether WM integrity at baseline was predictive of training benefits. We hypothesized that (1) memory improvement would be restricted to the training group, (2) widespread areas would show greater mean diffusivity (MD) and lower fractional anisotropy in older adults relative to young adults, and (3) within these areas, variability in WM microstructure in the older group would be predictive of training gains. The results showed that only the group receiving training improved their memory. Significant age differences in MD and fractional anisotropy were found in widespread areas. Within these areas, voxelwise analyses showed a negative relationship between MD and memory improvement in 3 clusters, indicating that WM integrity could serve as a marker for the ability to adapt in response to cognitive challenges in aging.
authors: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: a.m.g.d.lange@psykologi.uio.no.
authors: Ann-Marie Glasø
authors: AG
authors: de Lange
authors: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Anne Cecilie Sjøli
authors: AC
authors: Bråthen
authors: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Håkon
authors: H
authors: Grydeland
authors: Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain (FMRIB Centre), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Sexton
authors: Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain (FMRIB Centre), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Johansen-Berg
authors: Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain (FMRIB Centre), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors: Jesper L R
authors: JL
authors: Andersson
authors: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Darius A
authors: DA
authors: Rohani
authors: Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Nyberg
authors: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Unit of Neuropsychology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Anders M
authors: AM
authors: Fjell
authors: Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Unit of Neuropsychology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Kristine B
authors: KB
authors: Walhovd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016880:Anisotropy; D015415:Biomarkers; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Aging; Cognitive training; Diffusion tensor imaging; Memory; Plasticity; White matter