Ageing is associated with functional reorganization that is mainly characterized by declining functional connectivity due to general neurodegeneration and increasing incidence of disease.... Show moreAgeing is associated with functional reorganization that is mainly characterized by declining functional connectivity due to general neurodegeneration and increasing incidence of disease. Functional connectivity has been studied across the lifespan; however, there is a paucity of research within the older groups (>= 75 years) where neurodegeneration and disease prevalence are at its highest. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated associations between age and functional connectivity and the influence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD)-a common age-related morbidity-in 167 community-dwelling older adults aged 75-91 years (mean = 80.3 +/- 3.8). Resting-state functional MRI was used to determine functional connectivity within ten standard networks and calculate the whole brain graph theoretical measures global efficiency and clustering coefficient. CSVD features included white matter hyperintensities, lacunar infarcts, cerebral microbleeds, and atrophy that were assessed in each individual and a composite score was calculated. Both main and interaction effects (age*CSVD features) on functional connectivity were studied. We found stable levels of functional connectivity across the age range. CSVD was not associated with functional connectivity measures. To conclude, our data show that the functional architecture of the brain is relatively unchanged after 75 years of age and not differentially affected by individual levels of vascular pathology. Show less
Rooden, S. van; Berg-Huysmans, A.A. van den; Croll, P.H.; Labadie, G.; Hayes, J.M.; Viviano, R.; ... ; Damoiseaux, J.S. 2018
Background:Research in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) has mainly focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related MRI markers, such as hippocampal volume. However, small vessel... Show moreBackground:Research in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) has mainly focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related MRI markers, such as hippocampal volume. However, small vessel disease (SVD) is currently established as serious comorbidity in dementia and its preliminary stages. It is therefore important to examine SVD markers in addition to AD markers in older adults presenting with SCD.Objective:The aim of our study was to elucidate the role of SVD markers in late middle-aged to older adults with and without SCD in addition to the commonly found role of AD markers (hippocampal volume).Methods:67 healthy late middle-aged to older adults participated in this study (mean age 68 years); 25 participants with SCD and 42 participants without SCD. We evaluated quantitative as well as qualitative AD markers (i.e., hippocampal volume and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) scale) and SVD markers (i.e., white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volume, Fazekas scale, microbleeds, and lacunar infarcts), and neuropsychological function and amount of memory complaints.Results:We found a significant effect of SCD on hippocampal atrophy, as assessed using the MTA scale, but not on hippocampal volume. In addition, we found a significant effect of SCD, and amount of memory complaints, on WMH volume and Fazekas score, suggesting larger WMH volumes in participants with SCD.Conclusion:SVD MRI markers are related to amount of memory complaints, in addition to the commonly observed AD MRI markers, as demonstrated by the greater WMHs in healthy late middle-aged to older adults with SCD. Show less
Rooden, S. van; Berg-Huysmans, A.A. van den; Croll, P.H.; Labadie, G.; Hayes, J.M.; Viviano, R.; ... ; Damoiseaux, J.S. 2018
