Neural dedifferentiation and reduced specific memory in aging

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

Troy M. Houser¹ (thouser@uoregon.edu), Caitlin R. Bowman², Dagmar Zeithamova¹; ¹University of Oregon, ²University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Neural dedifferentiation refers to an age-related phenomenon whereby brain regions with a highly specialized role become less responsive to their preferred stimuli and more responsive to other stimuli. Moreover, dedifferentiation also emerges at the level of functional networks that become less pronounced: functional connectivity among regions within established brain networks becomes weaker and connectivity among regions belonging to different networks becomes stronger in aging. Here, we examined the relationships between age, neural dedifferentiation during rest, and behavioral measures of specific and general memory. Specific memory was most affected in aging and was accompanied by evidence of neural dedifferentiation. The results open new avenues for inquiry about how network level interactions in the brain support different memory functions.

Topic Area: LONG-TERM MEMORY: Episodic