Load modulation of BOLD response and connectivity predicts working memory performance in younger and older adults

Nagel, Irene EMax Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin (författare)

Individual differences in working memory (WM) performance have rarely been related to individual differences in the functional responsivity of the WM brain network. By neglecting person-to-person variation, comparisons of network activity between younger and older adults using functional imaging techniques often confound differences in activity with age trends in WM performance. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated the relations among WM performance, neural activity in the WM network, and adult age using a parametric letter n-back task in 30 younger adults (21-31 years) and 30 older adults (60-71 years). Individual differences in the WM network's responsivity to increasing task difficulty were related to WM performance, with a more responsive BOLD signal predicting greater WM proficiency. Furthermore, individuals with higher WM performance showed greater change in connectivity between left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left premotor cortex across load. We conclude that a more responsive WM network contributes to higher WM performance, regardless of adult age. Our results support the notion that individual differences in WM performance are important to consider when studying the WM network, particularly in age-comparative studies.

Preuschhof, ClaudiaMax Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin (författare)
Li, Shu-ChenMax Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin (författare)
Nyberg, LarsUmeå universitet,Diagnostisk radiologi,Fysiologi(Swepub:umu)lany0001 (författare)
Bäckman, LarsKarolinska Institutet,Stockholms universitet,Centrum för forskning om äldre och åldrande (ARC), (tills m KI),Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Karolinska Institute (författare)
Lindenberger, UlmanMax Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin (författare)
Heekeren, Hauke Rx Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin (författare)
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Freie Universität BerlinMax Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin (creator_code:org_t)

Ingår i:Journal of cognitive neuroscienceCambridge, Mass. : MIT Press23:8, s. 2030-20450898-929X1530-8898

Av författaren/redakt...: Nagel, Irene E; Preuschhof, Clau ...; Li, Shu-Chen; Nyberg, Lars; Bäckman, Lars; Lindenberger, Ul ...; visa fler...; Heekeren, Hauke ...; visa färre...

Om ämnet

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP: MEDICIN OCH HÄLS ...; och Medicinska och f ...; och Neurovetenskaper

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Av lärosätet: Stockholms universitet; Umeå universitet; Karolinska Institutet

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