Structural and Functional Connectivity in the Dynamic Aging Brain

动态老化大脑的结构和功能连接

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-03939
• 负责人: Gawryluk, Jodie
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Victoria
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=764024
• 关键词: Structural; Functional; Connectivity; Dynamic; Aging

Rationale: In Canada, the number of individuals over age sixty-five has exceeded the number of children (under age fourteen) for the first time in history. According to Statistics Canada, the number of seniors in Canada could reach 10.9 million by 2036. Given the shift in our relative age distribution, there is currently a crucial need to better understand the changes that occur as individuals age, especially given that the vast majority of cognitive neuroscience research has focused on young adults. Among the most well-known shifts associated with aging are changes in cognitive ability. These changes are considered normal and are to be expected. However, the research to date that has linked cognitive change to underlying brain structure and function, has not conceptualized the brain as a interconnected and dynamic system and it is essential for future research to incorporate advanced measures of structural and functional connectivity. Research Program: The overarching goal of my research program is to understand the underlying neural correlates of aging in the human brain using advanced multimodal imaging methods. My NSERC Discovery Grant program will use magnetic resonance imaging based measures of structural and functional connectivity to examine the Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition. Specifically, this research will answer the following questions: How do microstructural characteristics of the brain's connections change with age? Do functional networks become more or less active as we age? How do these changes in structural and functional connectivity relate to cognition? Do certain variables such as sex, stress, or physical activity lead to positive or negative neuroplastic changes in the brain? How do structural and functional connectivity and their relationship with cognition change over time, as we follow one set of individuals through the aging process?  Taken together, this comprehensive and extremely novel program of research will characterize how the human brain as a dynamic system changes with age. The work will interrogate and advance current theory on aging, and enhance current understanding of our aging population.

理由：在加拿大，历史上第一次超过65岁以上的个人数量超过了儿童人数（14岁以下）。根据加拿大统计局的数据，到2036年，加拿大的老年人人数可能达到1,090万。鉴于我们的相对年龄分布发生了变化，目前有至关重要的需要更好地理解随着个人年龄的变化，特别是考虑到绝大多数认知神经科学研究都集中在年轻人上。与衰老相关的最著名的转变之一是认知能力的变化。这些变化被认为是正常的，可以预期。但是，迄今为止，将认知变化与潜在的大脑结构和功能联系起来的研究尚未将大脑概念化为互连和动态系统，对于将来的研究纳入结构和功能连接的高级度量至关重要。研究计划：我的研究计划的总体目标是使用先进的多模式成像方法来了解人脑衰老的潜在神经相关性。我的NSERC发现赠款计划将使用基于磁共振成像的结构和功能连接性的度量来检查衰老和认知的脚手架理论。具体来说，这项研究将回答以下问题：大脑连接的微观结构特征如何随着年龄的增长而变化？随着年龄的增长，功能网络是否或多或少变得活跃？这些结构和功能连通性与认知关系的变化如何？某些变量（例如性，压力或体育活动）是否会导致大脑的正面或负面神经塑性变化？正如我们在衰老过程中遵循一组个人，结构和功能连通性及其与认知的关系如何随着时间的流逝而变化？综上所述，这项全面而非常新颖的研究计划将表征人类大脑作为动态系统随着年龄的变化而变化的表征。这项工作将质疑和推进当前关于衰老的理论，并增强对我们衰老人群的当前理解。