A structural equation modeling investigation of age-related variance in executive function and DTI measured white matter damage

Charlton, R.A.; Landau, S.; Schiavone, F.; Barrick, T.R.; Clark, C.A.; Markus, H.S.; Morris, R.G.

doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.03.017

Cited by 113Cognitive Abilities and TestingAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and ApplicationsDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

A structural equation modeling investigation of age-related variance in executive function and DTI measured white matter damage

Charlton, R.A., Landau, S., Schiavone, F., Barrick, T.R., Clark, C.A., Markus, H.S., Morris, R.G.·2008·Neurobiology of Aging

DOI 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.03.017

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Abstract

Cognitive changes in normal aging have been explained by the frontal-executive hypothesis, but the assumptions made by this hypothesis concerning the neurobiological causes are still a matter of debate. Executive functions (EF) may activate neural networks that include disparate grey matter regions, and rely on the integrity of white matter connections. In 118 adults (50-90 years old) from the GENIE study, white matter integrity was measured using diffusion tensor imaging, and information processing speed, fluid intelligence and EF were assessed. A theory-driven structural equation model was developed to test associations between variables. The model was revised, removing non-significant paths. The adjusted model explained well the covariance in our data; and suggested that the reduction in white matter integrity associated with age directly affected only working memory. Fluid intelligence was mediated by all measured cognitive variables. The results suggest that white matter integrity may be particularly important for abilities activating complex neural networks, as occurs in working memory. Integration of the information processing speed and frontal-executive hypotheses may provide important information regarding common, unique, and mediating factors in cognitive aging.

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“Structural equation models of cognitive ageing show that age has a direct effect on information processing speed (Charlton et al., 2007).”
From Reducing working memory load in spoken dialogue systems (2009) · cites this paper as Charlton et al., 2007

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Authors: Charlton, R. A., Landau, S., Schiavone, F., Barrick, T. R., Clark, C. A., Markus, H. S., & Morris, R. G.
Affiliations: St George's, University of London (GB)
University of London (GB)
Corresponding author: Charlton, R.A.
ORCID: Charlton, R.A.
Landau, S.
Schiavone, F.
Barrick, T.R.
Clark, C.A.
Markus, H.S.
Morris, R.G.
Venue: Neurobiology of Aging
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2008-10
Volume: 29
Issue: 10
Pages: 1547-1555
ISSN: 0197-4580 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.03.017
OpenAlex: W1981747783
Cited by: 113
References: 57
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 6
FWCI: 14.98
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Neurobiology of Aging (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders: Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
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: executive function, white matter integrity, normal cognitive aging, processing speed, fluid intelligence, working memory, diffusion tensor imaging, age-related cognitive decline
MeSH terms: Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Brain, Cognition, Computer Simulation, Female, Humans, Male, Memory Disorders, Memory, Short-Term, Mental Processes, Middle Aged, Models, Theoretical, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated, Nerve Net, Neural Pathways, Neuropsychological Tests, Prospective Studies, Reaction Time, Wallerian Degeneration, Disease Progression, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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A structural equation modeling investigation of age-related variance in executive function and DTI measured white matter damage

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