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Changes in cortical slow wave activity in healthy aging

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Abstract

A number of studies have demonstrated enhanced slow wave activity associated with pathological brain function e.g. in stroke patients, schizophrenia, depression, Morbus Alzheimer, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the association between slow wave activity and healthy aging has remained largely unexplored. This study examined whether the frequency at which focal generators of delta waves appear in the healthy cerebral cortex changes with age and whether this measure relates to cognitive performance. We investigated 53 healthy individuals aged 18 to 89 years and assessed MEG during a resting condition. Generators of focal magnetic slow waves were localized. Results showed a significant influence of age: dipole density decreases with increasing age. The relationship between cognitive performance and delta dipole density was not significant. The results suggest that in healthy aging slow waves decrease with aging and emphasize the importance of age-matched control groups for further studies. Increased appearance of slow waves as a marker for pathological stages can only be detected in relation to a control group of the same age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Psychology & Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany

    Vera Maria Leirer, Christian Wienbruch, Thomas Elbert & Iris-Tatjana Kolassa

  2. Research & Innovation, SAF Simulation, Analysis & Forecasting AG, Bahnstr. 1, 8274, Tägerwilen, Switzerland

    Stephan Kolassa

  3. Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology & Education, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89069, Ulm, Germany

    Winfried Schlee & Iris-Tatjana Kolassa

  4. Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, Box X 916, 78457, Konstanz, Germany

    Iris-Tatjana Kolassa

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  1. Vera Maria Leirer
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  2. Christian Wienbruch
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  3. Stephan Kolassa
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  4. Winfried Schlee
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  5. Thomas Elbert
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  6. Iris-Tatjana Kolassa
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Correspondence to Iris-Tatjana Kolassa.

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Leirer, V.M., Wienbruch, C., Kolassa, S. et al. Changes in cortical slow wave activity in healthy aging. Brain Imaging and Behavior 5, 222–228 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-011-9126-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-011-9126-3

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