Aging linked to memory-related brain network

A new study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience proves that Brain regions associated with memory shrink as adults age, and this size decrease is more pronounced in those who go on to develop neurodegenerative disease. According to the authors, the reduction of the volume is associated with cognitive ability decline and increased risk to the development of Alzheimer`s disease. “Our results identify a specific pattern of structural brain changes that may provide a possible brain marker for the onset of Alzheimer's disease”, said Nathan Spreng, assistant professor of human development and the Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Sesquicentennial Faculty Fellow in Cornell's College of Human Ecology. “While elements of the default network have previously been implicated in aging and neurodegenerative disease, few studies have examined broad network changes over the full adult life course with such large participant samples and including both behavioral and genetic data”, said Spreng. “Our findings provide evidence for a network-based model of neurodegenerative disease, in which progressive brain changes spread through networks of connected brain regions”.