Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults
ObjectiveWhile word knowledge is typically well-preserved in aging, declines in executive control often observed in older adults may impact access and application of this knowledge. Evidence suggests aging is associated with declines in specialization and efficiency of pre-defined cortical networks,...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1479861/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850260569855098880 |
|---|---|
| author | Kailey G. Langer Kailey G. Langer Alexandria G. O’Neal Alexandria G. O’Neal Amanda Garcia Alexa Chen Eric C. Porges Eric C. Porges John B. Williamson John B. Williamson John B. Williamson Adam J. Woods Adam J. Woods Ronald A. Cohen Ronald A. Cohen |
| author_facet | Kailey G. Langer Kailey G. Langer Alexandria G. O’Neal Alexandria G. O’Neal Amanda Garcia Alexa Chen Eric C. Porges Eric C. Porges John B. Williamson John B. Williamson John B. Williamson Adam J. Woods Adam J. Woods Ronald A. Cohen Ronald A. Cohen |
| author_sort | Kailey G. Langer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveWhile word knowledge is typically well-preserved in aging, declines in executive control often observed in older adults may impact access and application of this knowledge. Evidence suggests aging is associated with declines in specialization and efficiency of pre-defined cortical networks, potentially corresponding with cognitive changes. Building upon our previous findings that delineate task-relevant semantic network activation, this study investigates connectivity patterns in additional higher-order cortical networks during a semantic association task in cognitively healthy older adults.MethodsA total of 33 older adults (61% women, 94% White, aged 70.03 ± 11.28, 16.36 ± 2.62 years of education) completed task-based functional MRI involving semantic (abstract and concrete) and phonemic (rhyming) decisions. Networks included cingulo-operculate (CON), frontal-parietal control (FPCN), default mode (DMN), dorsal attention (DAN), and a semantic network. Association between block and intra-network connectivity was assessed. If block effects were found, ROI-ROI analysis was conducted. Additionally, inter-network correlations to age were examined, along with inter-network connectivity based on task demand.ResultsAge was not associated with intra-network connectivity. Semantic network connectivity increased during semantic blocks relative to rhyme. DAN and DMN connectivity increased during rhyme relative to semantic blocks, especially for abstract words. Connectivity within other networks did not differ as a function of task demands. Inter-network connectivity strength was stronger for FPCN with DAN during the rhyme blocks, and weaker during the rhyme blocks for FPCN with DMN and DMN with DAN. Older age was associated with greater inter-network connectivity for DMN with both FPCN and CON. The semantic network evidenced less intra-network connectivity during the rhyme task compared with all other networks, and greater intra-network connectivity during abstract semantic decisions compared with DAN and DMN.ConclusionDespite trends of decreased functional specialization in aging, and prior evidence within this cohort of broad task-related activation and connectivity bilaterally, semantic task relevance remained uniquely localized to left hemisphere semantic network hubs. Increased coherence within DAN and DMN during rhyme blocks may reflect novelty of the rhyming task, underscoring flexible network recruitment for demanding tasks in healthy aging. Findings contribute to our understanding of underlying neural mechanisms involved in semantic processing in cognitive aging. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c38359db220d46c1ad3cd4d5b517505d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1663-4365 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-c38359db220d46c1ad3cd4d5b517505d2025-08-20T01:55:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience1663-43652025-05-011710.3389/fnagi.2025.14798611479861Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adultsKailey G. Langer0Kailey G. Langer1Alexandria G. O’Neal2Alexandria G. O’Neal3Amanda Garcia4Alexa Chen5Eric C. Porges6Eric C. Porges7John B. Williamson8John B. Williamson9John B. Williamson10Adam J. Woods11Adam J. Woods12Ronald A. Cohen13Ronald A. Cohen14Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Hospital, Tampa, FL, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United StatesCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesCenter for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesObjectiveWhile word knowledge is typically well-preserved in aging, declines in executive control often observed in older adults may impact access and application of this knowledge. Evidence suggests aging is associated with declines in specialization and efficiency of pre-defined cortical networks, potentially corresponding with cognitive changes. Building upon our previous findings that delineate task-relevant semantic network activation, this study investigates connectivity patterns in additional higher-order cortical networks during a semantic association task in cognitively healthy older adults.MethodsA total of 33 older adults (61% women, 94% White, aged 70.03 ± 11.28, 16.36 ± 2.62 years of education) completed task-based functional MRI involving semantic (abstract and concrete) and phonemic (rhyming) decisions. Networks included cingulo-operculate (CON), frontal-parietal control (FPCN), default mode (DMN), dorsal attention (DAN), and a semantic network. Association between block and intra-network connectivity was assessed. If block effects were found, ROI-ROI analysis was conducted. Additionally, inter-network correlations to age were examined, along with inter-network connectivity based on task demand.ResultsAge was not associated with intra-network connectivity. Semantic network connectivity increased during semantic blocks relative to rhyme. DAN and DMN connectivity increased during rhyme relative to semantic blocks, especially for abstract words. Connectivity within other networks did not differ as a function of task demands. Inter-network connectivity strength was stronger for FPCN with DAN during the rhyme blocks, and weaker during the rhyme blocks for FPCN with DMN and DMN with DAN. Older age was associated with greater inter-network connectivity for DMN with both FPCN and CON. The semantic network evidenced less intra-network connectivity during the rhyme task compared with all other networks, and greater intra-network connectivity during abstract semantic decisions compared with DAN and DMN.ConclusionDespite trends of decreased functional specialization in aging, and prior evidence within this cohort of broad task-related activation and connectivity bilaterally, semantic task relevance remained uniquely localized to left hemisphere semantic network hubs. Increased coherence within DAN and DMN during rhyme blocks may reflect novelty of the rhyming task, underscoring flexible network recruitment for demanding tasks in healthy aging. Findings contribute to our understanding of underlying neural mechanisms involved in semantic processing in cognitive aging.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1479861/fullsemanticsagingfunctional connectivitydorsal attention network (DAN)semantic network (SN)default mode network (DMN) |
| spellingShingle | Kailey G. Langer Kailey G. Langer Alexandria G. O’Neal Alexandria G. O’Neal Amanda Garcia Alexa Chen Eric C. Porges Eric C. Porges John B. Williamson John B. Williamson John B. Williamson Adam J. Woods Adam J. Woods Ronald A. Cohen Ronald A. Cohen Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience semantics aging functional connectivity dorsal attention network (DAN) semantic network (SN) default mode network (DMN) |
| title | Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults |
| title_full | Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults |
| title_fullStr | Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults |
| title_short | Functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults |
| title_sort | functional connectivity in distributed cortical networks associated with semantic processing in healthy older adults |
| topic | semantics aging functional connectivity dorsal attention network (DAN) semantic network (SN) default mode network (DMN) |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1479861/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kaileyglanger functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT kaileyglanger functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT alexandriagoneal functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT alexandriagoneal functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT amandagarcia functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT alexachen functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT ericcporges functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT ericcporges functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT johnbwilliamson functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT johnbwilliamson functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT johnbwilliamson functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT adamjwoods functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT adamjwoods functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT ronaldacohen functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults AT ronaldacohen functionalconnectivityindistributedcorticalnetworksassociatedwithsemanticprocessinginhealthyolderadults |