AGE-RELATED WHITE MATTER CHANGES MEDIATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGE AND SPEED OF PROCESSING
Open Access
- Author:
- Ryan, Casey Aileen
- Area of Honors:
- Kinesiology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Dr. Nancy Anne Coulter Dennis, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Mary Jane De Souza, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Aging
Speed of Processing
DTI
Mediation - Abstract:
- Aging is associated with changes in cognitive processing and changes in white matter. Decreasing white matter integrity disrupts networks in the brain which can be a potential mediator of the age-related cognitive decline. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a neuroimaging technique that is capable of extracting and investigating specific white matter tracts and their respective integrity by measuring the diffusion of water molecules in the brain by a value called FA. In this current DTI study, white matter tracts were investigated for their relationship with age and speed of processing cognitive domain in a data driven analysis in a study that included 45 older adults screened to be representative of healthy aging. Our results showed that correlations between age and cognitive function, age and tract integrity, as well as cognitive function and tracts of interest existed. As age increased, decreases in FA values and cognitive performance were observed for posterior corona radiata, anterior corona radiata, posterior thalamic radiation, external capsule, cingulum, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Additionally, follow-up mediation analysis suggested that white matter tracts of interests were found to be significant mediators in the relationship between aging and the speed of processing cognitive domain. Our results suggest that the age-related changes in the white matter tracts play a significant role in the age-related decline in performance for speed of processing.