Abstract
Aging is associated with cognitive decline, specifically in episodic memory. However, there are large individual differences in the extent of this decline and previous research suggests that these are associated with differences in executive functioning (EF). These EF differences, and associated differences in the encoding and retrieval of episodic information, have been linked to differences in the activation of particular brain regions. The “encoding/retrieval flip” (E/R flip) framework assumes deactivation and activation of specific brain regions during successful encoding and retrieval, respectively. The present study assessed whether this framework can be used to explain EF-based individual differences in memory performance of young and older participants. Young adults (N = 19) and older adults (N = 39) performed an incidental semantic encoding and memory recognition task in an fMRI setting, focusing on brain regions that show the E/R flip. The association between an index of EF and fMRI activity in brain regions showing the E/R flip was tested in each age group. EF predicted E/R flip activity in the older, but not young adults. These findings underscore the importance of individual differences in ageing research and provide empirical evidence for the association between EF and the E/R flip.
Highlights
Aging is an inevitable path in nature
We found that older adults (OAs) displaying high executive functioning (EF) were able to form deeper memory traces that were promoted by the task demands during semantic encoding and later achieved the same memory performance as younger adults (YAs; Fu, Maes, Kessels, & Daselaar, 2017)
We used the CompensationRelated Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis (CRUNCH) framework to explain this phenomenon, suggesting that OAs with higher EF could enhance the activity of relevant brain regions in order to cope with the task demands of the effortful encoding conditions
Summary
Deterioration in cognitive abilities has been widely reported in older adults, studies have shown that some individuals are able to maintain their cognitive functioning until late adulthood. These individuals demonstrate strong cognitive plasticity in terms of effectively using environmental support to achieve better performance (Cheke, 2016; Kessels & de Haan, 2003). OAs with relatively weak EF were unable to form such deeper memory traces potentially prompted by the increased task demand. We explained this using the framework of the CompensationRelated Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis (CRUNCH; ReuterLorenz, 2008). There is a limit to this presumed compensatory brain activation; presumably, OAs with lower EF reach this limit earlier than OAs with higher EFs (see Fu, Kessels, & Maes, 2020)
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