Resting state fMRI evidence for early episodic memory consolidation: effects of age

Abstract Aging-related episodic memory decline is often attributed to insufficient encoding of new information, although the underlying neural processes remain elusive. We here tested the hypothesis that impaired memory consolidation contributes to ageing-related memory decline. To this end we used...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurobiology of aging 2016-09, Vol.45, p.197-211
Main Authors: Kukolja, Juraj, Göreci, D. Yasemin, Onur, Özgür A, Riedl, Valentin, Fink, Gereon R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aging
Aging - physiology
Aging - psychology
Brain - diagnostic imaging
Brain - physiology
Brain - physiopathology
Female
Humans
Independent component analysis
Internal Medicine
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Memory Consolidation - physiology
Memory Disorders - diagnostic imaging
Memory Disorders - etiology
Memory Disorders - psychology
Memory, Episodic
Middle Aged
Neural Pathways - diagnostic imaging
Neural Pathways - physiology
Neural Pathways - physiopathology
Neurology
Rest - physiology
Rest - psychology
Retroactive interference
Source memory
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Aging-related episodic memory decline is often attributed to insufficient encoding of new information, although the underlying neural processes remain elusive. We here tested the hypothesis that impaired memory consolidation contributes to ageing-related memory decline. To this end we used resting state fMRI in healthy young and older adults and investigated neural network connectivity underlying episodic memory consolidation and the effects of ageing thereon. During post-encoding rest, connectivity increased in subregions of temporobasal and temporo-occipital networks but decreased in a precuneal network. These connectivity changes predicted subsequent memory performance thereby constituting functional correlates of early memory consolidation. Furthermore, these consolidation-related regional connectivity changes partially overlapped with encoding-related neural activity changes, suggesting a close relationship between encoding- and consolidation related activity. Older when compared to young participants failed to increase connectivity in the right lingual gyrus as part of an extended default mode network during consolidation, thereby providing a functional correlate for spatial contextual memory deficits. In conclusion, results are consistent with previous reports of persistent activity in regions mediating memory encoding as a core mechanism underlying episodic memory consolidation. Our data extend previous findings suggesting that ageing-related memory decline results from a reduction of consolidation processes.
ISSN:0197-4580
1558-1497
DOI:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.06.004