Intervention-induced enhancement in intrinsic brain activity in healthy older adults

Shufei Yin, Xinyi Zhu, Rui Li, Yanan Niu, Baoxi Wang, Zhiwei Zheng, Xin Huang, Lijuan Huo, Juan Li
2014 Scientific Reports  
This study examined the effects of a multimodal intervention on spontaneous brain activity in healthy older adults. Seventeen older adults received a six-week intervention that consisted of cognitive training, Tai Chi exercise, and group counseling, while 17 older adults in a control group attended health knowledge lectures. The intervention group demonstrated enhanced memory and social support compared to the control group. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in the middle
more » ... l gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and anterior cerebellum lobe was enhanced for the intervention group, while the control group showed reduced ALFF in these three regions. Moreover, changes in trail-making performance and well-being could be predicted by the intervention-induced changes in ALFF. Additionally, individual differences in the baseline ALFF were correlated with intervention-related changes in behavioral performance. These findings suggest that a multimodal intervention is effective in improving cognitive functions and well-being and can induce functional changes in the aging brain. The study extended previous training studies by suggesting resting-state ALFF as a marker of intervention-induced plasticity in older adults.
doi:10.1038/srep07309 pmid:25472002 pmcid:PMC4255189 fatcat:gj22y2cgybcsdmo4tkii6k2nii