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Cited by 45Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and ApplicationsDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Aging-Sensitive Networks Within the Human Structural Connectome Are Implicated in Late-Life Cognitive Declines

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Madole, James W., Ritchie, Stuart J., Cox, Simon R., Buchanan, Colin R., Hernández, Maria Valdés, Maniega, Susana Muñoz, Wardlaw, Joanna M., Harris, Mathew A. +3 more·2021·Biological Psychiatry
DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.010PMC PMC7736316
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aging-related cognitive decline is a primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. More precise identification of the neurobiological bases of cognitive decline in aging populations may provide critical insights into the precursors of late-life dementias. METHODS: Using structural and diffusion brain magnetic resonance imaging data from the UK Biobank (n = 8185; age range, 45-78 years), we examined aging of regional gray matter volumes (nodes) and white matter structural connectivity (edges) within 9 well-characterized networks of interest in the human brain connectome. In the independent Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (n = 534; all 73 years of age), we tested whether aging-sensitive connectome elements are enriched for key domains of cognitive function before and after controlling for early-life cognitive ability. RESULTS: | = .583), suggesting that connectome aging occurs on broad dimensions of variation in brain architecture. In the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, composite indices of node integrity were predictive of all domains of cognitive function, whereas composite indices of edge integrity were associated specifically with processing speed. Elements within the central executive network were disproportionately predictive of late-life cognitive function relative to the network's small size. Associations with processing speed and visuospatial ability remained after controlling for childhood cognitive ability. CONCLUSIONS: These results implicate global dimensions of variation in the human structural connectome in aging-related cognitive decline. The central executive network may demarcate a constellation of elements that are centrally important to age-related cognitive impairments.

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Authors
Madole, J. W., Ritchie, S. J., Cox, S. R., Buchanan, C. R., Hernández, M. V., Maniega, S. M., Wardlaw, J. M., Harris, M. A., Bastin, M. E., Deary, I. J., & Tucker-Drob, E. M.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas at Austin (US)
  • King's College London (GB)
  • University of Edinburgh (GB)
Corresponding author
Madole, James W.
ORCID
Venue
Biological Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-04
Volume
89
Issue
8
Pages
795-806
ISSN
0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.010
PMC
PMC7736316
OpenAlex
W3036369342
Cited by
45
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 4
FWCI
2.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council (MR/R024065/1)
  • Age UK
  • University of Edinburgh (10279)
  • National Institutes of Health (P2CHD042849, R01AG054628)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
brain aging, structural connectome, late-life cognitive decline, gray matter volume, white matter connectivity, frontoparietal network, processing speed, visuospatial ability, Alzheimer's disease risk, Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, children's cognitive abilities
MeSH terms
Aged, Aging, Brain, Child, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Middle Aged, Cognitive Dysfunction, Connectome, White Matter

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