NEW
Layer-specific vulnerability is a mechanism of topographic map aging
Topographic maps form a critical feature of cortical organization, yet are poorly described with respect to their microstructure in the aging brain. Using parcellation-inspired techniques, we show that the output layer 5 of primary motor cortex (M1) shows a particular vulnerability to age-related increased iron, while layer 5 and the superficial layer show increased diamagnetic substance in older adults, likely reflecting calcifications. Together with showing that the basic topographic organization of M1 does not change with age, we provide a novel 3D model of M1 microstructure, where body parts form distinct structural units, but layers show specific vulnerability toward increased iron and calcium in older adults. Our findings have implications for understanding basic principles of cortical aging. Read the full paper: [link]
Layer-specific vulnerability is a mechanism of topographic map aging
Topographic maps form a critical feature of cortical organization, yet are poorly described with respect to their microstructure in the aging brain. Using parcellation-inspired techniques, we show that the output layer 5 of primary motor cortex (M1) shows a particular vulnerability to age-related increased iron, while layer 5 and the superficial layer show increased diamagnetic substance in older adults, likely reflecting calcifications. Together with showing that the basic topographic organization of M1 does not change with age, we provide a novel 3D model of M1 microstructure, where body parts form distinct structural units, but layers show specific vulnerability toward increased iron and calcium in older adults. Our findings have implications for understanding basic principles of cortical aging. Read the full paper: [link]
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TOOL
Tongue Tracker (TT): A new automated tool to assess bulbar dysfunction in older adults & ALS patients Bulbar symptoms, including difficulty swallowing and speaking, are common in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological disorders, such as stroke. We developed an open-source tool called Tongue Tracker (TT) to quantify bulbar function by training a neural network to track kinematic tongue features of short video clips of lateral tongue movements. We used TT to detect quantitative markers of bulbar dysfunction in ALS and older adults, and show that the method is sensitive to detect pathology-related alterations in bulbar function. Read the full paper: [link] |
RESEARCH
The organizational principles of 'de-differentiated' cortical maps
A common model of cortical aging assumes that more de-differentiated cortical maps link to worse everyday behavior. We show using 7 Tesla MRI that older adults' S1 maps are not more de-differentiated then younger adults' maps when looking at standard markers of cortical de-differentiation. Rather, specific local and global map changes characterize aging topographic maps, where smaller distances between D2 and D3 link to better everyday behavior of the hand. We therefore introduce a new feature-based model of cortical topographic aging. Read the full paper: [link]
The organizational principles of 'de-differentiated' cortical maps
A common model of cortical aging assumes that more de-differentiated cortical maps link to worse everyday behavior. We show using 7 Tesla MRI that older adults' S1 maps are not more de-differentiated then younger adults' maps when looking at standard markers of cortical de-differentiation. Rather, specific local and global map changes characterize aging topographic maps, where smaller distances between D2 and D3 link to better everyday behavior of the hand. We therefore introduce a new feature-based model of cortical topographic aging. Read the full paper: [link]
OHBM
See here Video presentations by Alicia Northall, Peng Liu and Juliane Döhler on human sensorimotor aging described with 7T-MRI
See here Video presentations by Alicia Northall, Peng Liu and Juliane Döhler on human sensorimotor aging described with 7T-MRI
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NEW APPROACH
Topographic layer imaging as a tool to track neurodegenerative disease spread in M1
One important feature that is often left out when diagnosing and analyzing disease spread in primary motor cortex (M1, for example in motor neuron disease) is the inhomogeneous architecture of M1 with respect to cortical layers but also topographic units. We therefore propose that combining 3D layer imaging with topographic mapping serves as ideal tool to understand which microstructural changes in M1 determine disease progression. Read the full article: [link]
Topographic layer imaging as a tool to track neurodegenerative disease spread in M1
One important feature that is often left out when diagnosing and analyzing disease spread in primary motor cortex (M1, for example in motor neuron disease) is the inhomogeneous architecture of M1 with respect to cortical layers but also topographic units. We therefore propose that combining 3D layer imaging with topographic mapping serves as ideal tool to understand which microstructural changes in M1 determine disease progression. Read the full article: [link]
RESEARCH
Impaired remapping of social relationships in older adults
Social relationships are a central aspect of our everyday life and are critical to maintain mental health. Yet, our ability to adapt to changes in social relationships as a consequence of changes in behavioral patterns is an under-investigated topic. In this experimental paper, we combine VR with a behavioral plasticity paradigm and show that younger adults alter their behavioral pattern when an avatar changes its behavior, whereas older adults show a reduction in such a "remapping" of social space. Our data provide first evidence that older adults longer show their learned behavioral patterns when interaction partners change their behavior compared to younger adults. Read the full paper: [link]
Impaired remapping of social relationships in older adults
Social relationships are a central aspect of our everyday life and are critical to maintain mental health. Yet, our ability to adapt to changes in social relationships as a consequence of changes in behavioral patterns is an under-investigated topic. In this experimental paper, we combine VR with a behavioral plasticity paradigm and show that younger adults alter their behavioral pattern when an avatar changes its behavior, whereas older adults show a reduction in such a "remapping" of social space. Our data provide first evidence that older adults longer show their learned behavioral patterns when interaction partners change their behavior compared to younger adults. Read the full paper: [link]
RESEARCH
Preserved body representations in advanced age
The rubber hand illusion is an often used paradigm to investigate multisensory body representations in health and disease, but it has rarely been investigated with respect to age-related changes in older adults. We show that there are no significant differences in explicit and implicit markers of the rubber hand illusion between younger adults (aged 20-30 years) and older adults (aged > 65 years). This indicates preserved pathways for establishing a multisensory representation of the bodily self in advanced age. Read the full paper: [link]
Preserved body representations in advanced age
The rubber hand illusion is an often used paradigm to investigate multisensory body representations in health and disease, but it has rarely been investigated with respect to age-related changes in older adults. We show that there are no significant differences in explicit and implicit markers of the rubber hand illusion between younger adults (aged 20-30 years) and older adults (aged > 65 years). This indicates preserved pathways for establishing a multisensory representation of the bodily self in advanced age. Read the full paper: [link]
CONCEPT
Changes in embodiment influence cognitive aging
Aging is associated with a number of deficits in sensorimotor and cognitive functions. We outline that a high number of age-related cognitive deficits arise from body-related processing differences. We propose a novel NFL-framework of bodily aging to conceptualize these changes. Key insight: Sensory and cognitive deficits on older age link to age-related changes in embodiment. Read the full papers: [link]
Changes in embodiment influence cognitive aging
Aging is associated with a number of deficits in sensorimotor and cognitive functions. We outline that a high number of age-related cognitive deficits arise from body-related processing differences. We propose a novel NFL-framework of bodily aging to conceptualize these changes. Key insight: Sensory and cognitive deficits on older age link to age-related changes in embodiment. Read the full papers: [link]
FUNDING
SFB-1436: Project B04 "Effects of hippocampal vascularization patterns on the neuronal resources of MTL neurocognitive circuits"
DFG-Einzelprojekt: "Cortical Microstructure & Aging"
EKFS-Grant: "Topography and Plasticity of Cortical Microstructure in ALS characterized with 7T MRI"
SFB-1436: Project B04 "Effects of hippocampal vascularization patterns on the neuronal resources of MTL neurocognitive circuits"
DFG-Einzelprojekt: "Cortical Microstructure & Aging"
EKFS-Grant: "Topography and Plasticity of Cortical Microstructure in ALS characterized with 7T MRI"
