Cited by 206Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchMemory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and Influences

Imaging hippocampal function across the human life span: Is memory decline normal or not?

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Small, Scott A., Tsai, Wei Yann, DeLaPaz, Robert, Mayeux, Richard, Stern, Yaakov·2002·Annals of Neurology

Abstract

Memory function commonly declines in later life. Whether memory decline represents a disease process or whether it is part of normal aging remains unknown. Here we answer this question by assessing the function of multiple subregions that make up the hippocampal circuit across the human life span. A newly developed MRI approach—designed to detect functional changes in individual hippocampal subregions—was used to assess the hippocampal circuit in 70 subjects between 20 and 88 years of age. Using strict parametric criteria, analysis revealed that function in two hippocampal subregions—the subiculum and the dentate gyrus—decline normally with age. In contrast, function in the entorhinal cortex declines pathologically. Single‐subject analysis revealed that hippocampal dysfunction, found in 60% of elders was selectively correlated with memory decline. These results show that memory decline is caused by different mechanisms and suggests how memory decline should be approached clinically.

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  • Normal ageing is associated with reduced metabolic activity in the subiculum and the dentate gyrus, whereas reduced activity in the entorhinal cortex may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease.

    “Normal ageing is associated with reduced metabolic activity in the subiculum and the dentate gyrus, whereas reduced activity in the entorhinal cortex may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease (14).”

    From Neural mechanisms of ageing and cognitive decline (2010) · cites this paper as [14]

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [15]15. Small SA, Nava AS, Perera GM, et al. Evaluating the function of hippocampal subregions with high-resolution MRI in Alzheimer's disease and aging. Microsc Res Tech 2000;51:101-108.
  2. [19]19. Hayflick L. The future of aging. Nature 2000;408:267-269.
  3. [20]20. Small SA, Perera GM, DeLaPaz R, et al. Differential regional dysfunction of the hippocampal formation among elderly with memory decline and Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol 1999;45: 466-472.
  4. [28]28. McEwen BS. Cortiscosteroids and hippocampal plasticity. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1994;746:134-142; discussion 142-144, 178179.

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Authors
Small, S. A., Tsai, W. Y., DeLaPaz, R., Mayeux, R., & Stern, Y.
Affiliations
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Small, Scott A.
Venue
Annals of Neurology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2002-02-28
Volume
51
Issue
3
Pages
290-295
ISSN
  • 0364-5134 (ISSN-L)
  • 1531-8249
OpenAlex
W2107406220
Cited by
205
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 13
FWCI
7.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annals of Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Columbia Academic Commons (Columbia University)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (AG08702, AG 00949, P50AG008702)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
Keywords
hippocampal function, memory decline, normal aging, hippocampal subfields, subiculum, dentate gyrus, entorhinal cortex, hippocampal circuitry
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Memory, Memory Disorders, Middle Aged, Reference Values, Entorhinal Cortex, Dentate Gyrus

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