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

Abstract

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 frontal 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.

A research agenda for aging in China in the 21st century

“…Elevating the public awareness of mental disorders should be prioritized as well as enhancing the medical support resources for early detection, intervention and treatment of mental illness in the elderly. Professional interventions, comprising psychotherapy and combined cognitive-psychological-physical intervention not only can mitigate subclinical depression, but can also delay age-related brain and cognitive deterioration and improve overall mental health (Cuijpers et al, 2014; Li et al, 2014; Yin et al, 2014). A recommendation to medical universities is to train more geriatric care professionals to meet the increasing demand.…”

Resting-State Brain Fluctuation and Functional Connectivity Dissociate Moral Injury from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

“…Resting-state activity has been reported to predict behavioral performance [22]. Therefore, spontaneous neural activity in left IPL and functional connectivity between left IPL and precuneus may be utilized to complement the assessments of moral injury/PTSD and monitoring the response to clinical intervention [55].…”

Relative differences in resting-state brain connectivity associated with long term intensive lifestyle intervention

“…Yin et al reported that a physical activity-based intervention increased spontaneous resting-state activity in the right MFG [Yin et al, 2014]. Moreover, Voss et al reported an increase in resting-state connectivity resulting from a physical activity-based intervention in the frontal executive network, a collection of brain areas in the frontal cortex [Voss et al, 2010b].…”

“…Moreover, opercular insular connectivity can be enhanced through active learning [Albert et al, 2009], which may be a result of the ILI. Yin et al speculate that the increased activity and connectivity in the right MFG is associated with increased feeling of subjective well-being resulting from an intervention [Yin et al, 2014]. This assessment is based on the right MFG’s involvement in modulation of depressive states [Wang et al, 2008], as well as their prior study demonstrating the association between the functional connectivity in the right MFG and subjective well-being [Li et al, 2014].…”

“…Alterations in resting-state brain activity are also reported. Increased resting-state activity has been observed in the middle and superior frontal gyri associated with an intervention involving Tai Chi, cognitive training, and counseling [Yin et al, 2014]. On the other hand, reduced resting-state activity was observed in the DMN associated with a treadmill-walking exercise intervention [McFadden et al, 2013].…”