Age differences in the neural processing of semantics, within and beyond the core semantic network

Wu, Wei; Hoffman, Paul

doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.07.022

Cited by 12 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…Through their precise adjustments of connectivity among adjacent regions (Bertolero et al, 2018), connector hubs imbue the network with integrative and flexible properties, thereby offsetting any decrease in specialization (as suggested by Cabeza et al, 2018). Consistent with this compensation account, our findings prove that the age‐related integration of the FPN is not detrimental, in line with Wu and Hoffman (2023). Instead, it serves as a beneficial mechanism, mitigating declines in executive functions during demanding cognitive tasks, particularly bolstering performance in multitasking, fluid intelligence, and language processing.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Said differently, DMN suppression could index the controlled search and retrieval of semantic knowledge necessary for LP (i.e., DG–LS interplay) (Krieger‐Redwood et al, 2019; Martin, Saur, & Hartwigsen, 2022). This is consistent with the notion that semantic cognition depends on both representational and control neural systems (Hoffman & MacPherson, 2022; Wu & Hoffman, 2023), with top‐down processes regulating access to semantic representations (i.e., the DG–LS interplay; see also the controlled semantic cognition framework proposed by Ralph et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Specifically, the increase in semantic performances in LS was proportional to the decline in fluid abilities. Given the constraint fluid processing places on LP, such accrual of semantic knowledge from younger to middle adulthood could represent a compensatory “semantic strategy” that maintains LP performance as fluid processing declines (Baciu et al, 2021; Wu & Hoffman, 2023).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling the neurocognitive dynamics of language across the lifespan

Guichet,

Banjac,

Achard

et al. 2024

Human Brain Mapping

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Healthy aging is associated with a heterogeneous decline across cognitive functions, typically observed between language comprehension and language production (LP). Examining resting‐state fMRI and neuropsychological data from 628 healthy adults (age 18–88) from the CamCAN cohort, we performed state‐of‐the‐art graph theoretical analysis to uncover the neural mechanisms underlying this variability. At the cognitive level, our findings suggest that LP is not an isolated function but is modulated throughout the lifespan by the extent of inter‐cognitive synergy between semantic and domain‐general processes. At the cerebral level, we show that default mode network (DMN) suppression coupled with fronto‐parietal network (FPN) integration is the way for the brain to compensate for the effects of dedifferentiation at a minimal cost, efficiently mitigating the age‐related decline in LP. Relatedly, reduced DMN suppression in midlife could compromise the ability to manage the cost of FPN integration. This may prompt older adults to adopt a more cost‐efficient compensatory strategy that maintains global homeostasis at the expense of LP performances. Taken together, we propose that midlife represents a critical neurocognitive juncture that signifies the onset of LP decline, as older adults gradually lose control over semantic representations. We summarize our findings in a novel synergistic, economical, nonlinear, emergent, cognitive aging model, integrating connectomic and cognitive dimensions within a complex system perspective.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Modeling the neurocognitive dynamics of language across the lifespan

Guichet,

Banjac,

Achard

et al. 2024

Human Brain Mapping

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…We report two parallel sets of analyses on different datasets. We first conducted analyses on resting-state fMRI data collected as part of a larger study of age-related effects on semantic cognition (Wu & Hoffman, 2023a, 2023b. These data are publicly available (https://osf.io/zbxt4) and the resting-state fMRI data have not been reported previously.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are two ways that this functional specialisation might manifest itself. First, older people might show greater segregation between left and right ATLs than young people because they have accumulated more verbal semantic knowledge during their lives (Grady, 2012;Hoffman, 2018Hoffman, , 2019Park et al, 2002;Verhaeghen, 2003;Wu & Hoffman, 2022, 2023a. Second, independent of age, people with more extensive verbal knowledge (indexed by vocabulary tests) may show greater segregation between ATLs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Verbal semantic expertise is associated with reduced functional connectivity between left and right anterior temporal lobes

Wu,

Hoffman

2024

Preprint

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The left and right anterior temporal lobes (ATLs) encode semantic representations. They show graded hemispheric specialisation in function, with the left ATL contributing preferentially to verbal semantic processing. We investigated the underlying causes of this organisation, using resting-state functional connectivity as a measure of functional segregation between ATLs. We analysed two independent resting-state fMRI datasets (N=86 and N=642) in which participants' verbal semantic expertise was measured using vocabulary tests. In both datasets, people with more advanced verbal semantic knowledge showed weaker functional connectivity between left and right ventral ATLs. This effect was highly specific. It was not observed for within-hemisphere connections between semantic regions (ventral ATL and inferior frontal gyrus; IFG, though it was found for left-right IFG connectivity in one dataset). Effects were not found for tasks probing semantic control, non-semantic cognition or face recognition. Our results suggest that hemispheric specialisation in the ATLs is not an innate property but rather emerges as people develop highly detailed verbal semantic representations. We propose that this effect is a consequence of the left ATL's greater connectivity with left-lateralised written word recognition regions, which causes it to preferentially represent meaning for advanced vocabulary acquired primarily through reading.

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