Abstract
The influence of general intelligence and formal education on functional MR imaging (fMRI) activation has not been thoroughly studied in older adults. Although these factors could be controlled for through study design, this approach makes sample selection more difficult and reduces power. This study was undertaken to examine our hypothesis that intelligence and education would impact medial temporal lobe (MTL) fMRI responses to an episodic memory task in healthy elderly subjects. Thirty-six women and 38 men, 50-83 years of age (mean, 63.4 +/- 7.9 years), completed an auditory paired-associates paradigm in a 1.5T magnet. The amplitude and volume of fMRI activation for both the right and left MTLs and MTL subregions were correlated with the intelligence quotients (IQs) and educational levels by using Pearson correlation coefficient tests and regression analyses. The participants' mean estimated full scale IQ and verbal IQ scores were 110.4 +/- 7.6 (range, 92-123) and 108.9 +/- 8.7 (range, 88-123), respectively. The years of education showed a mean of 16.1 +/- 3.2 years (range, 8-25 years). The paradigm produced significant activation in the MTL and subregions. However, the volume and amplitude of activation were unrelated to either IQ or years of schooling in men and/or women. We found no evidence of an effect of IQ or education on either the volume or amplitude of fMRI activation, suggesting that these factors do not necessarily need to be incorporated into study design or considered when evaluating other group relationships with fMRI.
Highlights
AND PURPOSE: The influence of general intelligence and formal education on functional MR imaging activation has not been thoroughly studied in older adults
The amplitude and volume of functional MR imaging (fMRI) activation for both the right and left medial temporal lobe (MTL) and MTL subregions were correlated with the intelligence quotients (IQs) and educational levels by using Pearson correlation coefficient tests and regression analyses
We found no evidence of an effect of IQ or education on either the volume or amplitude of fMRI activation, suggesting that these factors do not necessarily need to be incorporated into study design or considered when evaluating other group relationships with fMRI
Summary
Thirty-six women and 38 men, 50 – 83 years of age (mean, 63.4 Ϯ 7.9 years), completed an auditory paired-associates paradigm in a 1.5T magnet. The 74 right-handed individuals included in this analysis currently serve as healthy controls for an ongoing study of brain function and cognition.. The 74 right-handed individuals included in this analysis currently serve as healthy controls for an ongoing study of brain function and cognition.26 They range from 50 to 83 years of age (mean, 63.4 Ϯ 7.9 years) and include 36 women and 38 men. As part of an extensive evaluation, the years of education and the performance on the North American Adult Reading Test (NAART) were recorded. The NAART scores were converted to both verbal and fullscale IQs. The IQs, years of education, and ages of the subjects were used as variables for subsequent statistical analysis. The study was approved by the institutional review board, and all participants provided informed consent
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