Functional activation during an associative memory task and its association with self-efficacy in older adults with memory impairments

Poster Session C - Sunday, April 14, 2024, 5:00 – 7:00 pm EDT, Sheraton Hall ABC

Raphael Gabiazon^1,3, Amy Swayze^2,3, Lindsay Nagamatsu^2,3; ¹Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, ²School of Kinesiology, ³Western University

The ability to episodically encode and retrieve information between two items is shown to be hindered on tests of associative memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Biological and physiological changes, including those observed in brain structure and function, are known to cause age-related memory impairments. Psychosocial factors like self-efficacy, which is the confidence in one’s ability to execute actions to meet certain situational or domain-specific demands, may also contribute to memory decline. While previous research has shown that enhancing self-efficacy can improve memory performance, the neural correlates that may explain this relationship remain unclear. Therefore, we developed a six-week self-efficacy intervention to examine its effects on memory and corresponding changes in functional activation in older adults with MCI. Participants (n=28) were randomized to either the intervention to improve self-efficacy for memory or a general education control group. Inclusion criteria for participants were based on standardized testing results, indicative of cognitive decline rather than dementia, and maintained the ability to carry out daily activities independently. For baseline and endpoint assessments, memory performance was measured by an associative memory task in fMRI, while subjective memory beliefs were assessed using the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the differences between groups post-intervention for each outcome measure. Preliminary results revealed an association between functional activation and memory performance in the memory self-efficacy intervention group. These findings help to elucidate the role of psychosocial factors in age-related memory deficits.

Topic Area: METHODS: Neuroimaging