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@PHDTHESIS{Heckner:1038288,
author = {Heckner, Marisa},
title = {{P}rediction of {C}ognitive {F}unctioning across the
{L}ifespan {U}sing {S}tructural and {F}unctional
{N}euroimaging {D}ata},
school = {Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf},
type = {Dissertation},
reportid = {FZJ-2025-01299},
pages = {63},
year = {2024},
note = {Dissertation, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf,
2024},
abstract = {Healthy aging is associated with structural and functional
changes in the brain. These changes areespecially pronounced
in complex cognitive tasks, like executive functioning (EF).
EF is importantfor decision-making, problem-solving, and
adaptive behavior. Advances in neuroimaging techniqueshave
enabled a more detailed exploration of the neural substrates
of cognitive aging, yet theneural underpinnings of EF,
especially in the context of cognitive aging, remain
incompletely understood.The global demographic shift towards
an older population underscores the importance
ofunderstanding cognitive aging, particularly changes in
EF.This dissertation aimed to investigate the structural and
functional neural substrates and dynamicsof age-related
differences in EF through a comprehensive methodological
framework combiningmeta-analyses, functional connectivity
analyses, and predictive modeling.Meta-analyses highlighted
left inferior frontal junction and left anterior
cuneus/precuneus as regionssignificantly affected by aging,
with recruitment patterns varying by task type and age.
Subsequently,a meta-analytic synthesis identified a common
perceptuo-motor network, comprisingvisual, auditory, and
motor-related brain regions. This allows for the
investigation of age differencesalready at the in- and
output levels of the brain, which in turn could influence
performanceat higher cognitive levels. Prediction studies
revealed moderate to low overall prediction accuracies,with
measures of functional within-subject variability showing
superior predictive performancefor younger and structural
measures for older adults. Surprisingly, whole-brain and
randomnetwork approaches outperformed EF-specific networks
in predicting EF abilities, suggesting thatbroader network
properties may be more indicative of individual differences
in EF than previouslythought.The findings highlight the
complex interplay between structural and functional brain
changes andcognitive aging, emphasizing an age-dependent
modality specificity in the neural predictors of
EFperformance. The differential effectiveness of global
versus EF-specific networks in predicting EFunderscores the
potential value of considering global brain characteristics
and combining multiplemetrics to enhance predictive
accuracy. The modest to low prediction accuracies call for
furtherresearch into developing more effective biomarkers
for EF abilities, considering broader networkdynamics, and
adopting adaptive behavioral testing approaches to capture
the full performancespectrum of healthy aging.},
cin = {INM-7},
cid = {I:(DE-Juel1)INM-7-20090406},
pnm = {5251 - Multilevel Brain Organization and Variability
(POF4-525) / 5253 - Neuroimaging (POF4-525)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-5251 / G:(DE-HGF)POF4-5253},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)11},
doi = {10.34734/FZJ-2025-01299},
url = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1038288},
}