Working memory revived in older adults by synchronizing rhythmic brain circuits.
Robert M G ReinhartJohn A NguyenPublished in: Nature neuroscience (2019)
Understanding normal brain aging and developing methods to maintain or improve cognition in older adults are major goals of fundamental and translational neuroscience. Here we show a core feature of cognitive decline-working-memory deficits-emerges from disconnected local and long-range circuits instantiated by theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling in temporal cortex and theta phase synchronization across frontotemporal cortex. We developed a noninvasive stimulation procedure for modulating long-range theta interactions in adults aged 60-76 years. After 25 min of stimulation, frequency-tuned to individual brain network dynamics, we observed a preferential increase in neural synchronization patterns and the return of sender-receiver relationships of information flow within and between frontotemporal regions. The end result was rapid improvement in working-memory performance that outlasted a 50 min post-stimulation period. The results provide insight into the physiological foundations of age-related cognitive impairment and contribute to groundwork for future non-pharmacological interventions targeting aspects of cognitive decline.
Keyphrases
- working memory
- cognitive decline
- mild cognitive impairment
- resting state
- functional connectivity
- white matter
- transcranial direct current stimulation
- physical activity
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- cognitive impairment
- machine learning
- traumatic brain injury
- deep learning
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- multiple sclerosis
- signaling pathway
- public health
- global health
- quantum dots
- electron transfer