Associations between a neurophysiological marker of central cholinergic activity and cognitive functions in young and older adults

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Marielle Young-Bernier⁴  Yael Kamil²  François Tremblay³  Patrick SR Davidson¹ 

[1] Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

[2] School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada

[3] School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

[4] Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

关键词: Transcranial magnetic stimulation;    Memory;    Executive function;    Cortical inhibition;    Aging;    Acetylcholine;   

Others  :  797537
DOI  :  10.1186/1744-9081-8-17

 received in 2011-10-13, accepted in 2012-04-26,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

The deterioration of the central cholinergic system in aging is hypothesized to underlie declines in several cognitive domains, including memory and executive functions. However, there is surprisingly little direct evidence regarding acetylcholine’s specific role(s) in normal human cognitive aging.

Methods

We used short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a putative marker of cholinergic activity in vivo in young (n = 24) and older adults (n = 31).

Results

We found a significant age difference in SAI, concordant with other evidence of cholinergic decline in normal aging. We also found clear age differences on several of the memory and one of the executive function measures. Individual differences in SAI levels predicted memory but not executive functions.

Conclusion

Individual differences in SAI levels were better predictors of memory than executive functions. We discuss cases in which the relations between SAI and cognition might be even stronger, and refer to other age-related biological changes that may interact with cholinergic activity in cognitive aging.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Young-Bernier et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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