Daniel Joshua Cox1,2, Rafat S. Mohtasib3,
Daniela Montaldi4, Laura M. Parkes1,2
1Imaging Sciences and Biomedical
Engineering, School of Cancer and Imaging Sciences, The University of
Manchester, Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom; 2Biomedical
Imaging Institute (BII), The University of Manchester, Manchester, Lancashire,
United Kingdom; 3Magnetic Resonance and Image Analysis Research
Centre (MARIARC), University of Liverpool, United Kingdom; 4School
of Psychological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester,
Lancashire, United Kingdom
This
study aims to investigate changes in resting state functional connectivity
with increasing age. 40 healthy subjects (aged 20 76) participated.
Gradient echo EPI images were collected during a Stroop task and active
regions were found across the group. The BOLD amplitude in the right middle
frontal gyrus (MFG) increased with age, reducing laterality of activation.
Partial correlation was used to investigate functional connectivity between
bilateral MFG, which was found to increase with age between bilateral MFG in
adults aged 40yrs+. Increased connectivity was also associated with improved
accuracy, suggesting alterations in functional connectivity may be important
for performance.