Dissociation of focal and large-scale inhibitory functions in the older adults: A multimodal MRI study

Yi-Hsuan Liu; Yi-Cheng Lin; Ling-Chieh Shih; Ching-Po Lin; Li-Hung Chang

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2024.105583

Dissociation of focal and large-scale inhibitory functions in the older adults: A multimodal MRI study

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2024 Dec:127:105583. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105583. Epub 2024 Jul 20.

Authors

Yi-Hsuan Liu¹, Yi-Cheng Lin², Ling-Chieh Shih³, Ching-Po Lin⁴, Li-Hung Chang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
³ Department of Medical Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Deptartment of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
⁵ Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: lihung@nycu.edu.tw.

PMID: 39059036
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105583

Abstract

Background: The decline of inhibitory in cognitive aging is linked to reduced cognitive and mental capacities in older adults. However, this decline often shows inconsistent clinical presentations, suggesting varied impacts on different inhibition-related tasks. Inhibitory control, a multifaceted construct, involves various types of inhibition. Understanding these components is crucial for comprehending how aging affects inhibitory functions. Our research investigates the influences of aging on large-scale and focal-scale inhibitory and examines the relationship with brain markers.

Methods: We examined the impact of aging on inhibitory in 18 younger (20-35 years) and 17 older adults (65-85 years) using focal and large-scale inhibition tasks. The Gabor task assessed focal-scale inhibition, while the Stop Signal Task (SST) evaluated large-scale inhibition. Participants underwent neuropsychological assessments and MRI scans, including magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and structural and resting fMRI.

Results: Older adults exhibited a marked decline in inhibitory function, with slower SST responses indicating compromised large-scale inhibition. Conversely, the Gabor task showed no significant age-related changes. MRS findings revealed decreased levels of GABA, glutamate, glutamine, and NAA in the pre-SMA, correlating with observed large-scale inhibition in older adults. Additionally, pre-SMA seed-based functional connectivity analysis showed reduced brain network connections in older adults, potentially contributing to inhibitory control deficits.

Conclusions: Our study elucidates the differential effects of aging on inhibitory functions. While large-scale inhibition is more vulnerable to aging, focal-scale inhibition is relatively preserved. These findings highlight the importance of targeted cognitive interventions and underscore the necessity of a multifaceted approach in aging research.

Keywords: Gabor task; Inhibition; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Seed-based functional connectivity; Stop signal task.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging* / physiology
Aging* / psychology
Brain / diagnostic imaging
Cognitive Aging / physiology
Cognitive Aging / psychology
Female
Humans
Inhibition, Psychological*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
Male
Neuropsychological Tests*
Young Adult