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：根据加拿大统计局的数据，加拿大 65 岁以上的人口数量历史上首次超过儿童（14 岁以下）的数量，到 2036 年，加拿大老年人的数量可能达到 1090 万。鉴于我们相对年龄分布的变化，目前迫切需要更好地了解随着个人年龄的增长而发生的变化，特别是认知方面的变化，因为绝大多数神经科学研究都集中在年轻人身上。和衰老是认知能力的变化，这些变化被认为是正常的，并且是可以预料的。然而，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并没有将大脑概念化为一个相互关联的动态系统。对于未来的研究来说，纳入结构和功能连接的先进测量至关重要。 研究计划：我的研究计划的总体目标是使用先进的多模态成像方法来了解人脑衰老的潜在神经相关性。基于磁共振成像的结构和测量具体来说，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？这些变化是如何变化的？结构和功能连接性与认知相关吗？某些变量（例如性别、压力或身体活动）会导致大脑的积极或消极的神经塑性变化吗？正如我们所关注的，结构和功能连接性及其与认知的关系如何随着时间的推移而变化？一组个体总而言之，这项全面且极其新颖的研究计划将描述人类大脑作为一个动态系统如何随着年龄的变化而变化。这项工作将质疑和推进当前的衰老理论，并增强目前对人口老龄化的理解。