Structural and functional characterization of the locus coeruleus in young and late middle-aged individuals.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The brainstem locus coeruleus (LC) influences a broad range of brain processes, including cognition. The so-called LC contrast is an accepted marker of the integrity of the LC that consists of a local hyperintensity on specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) structural images. The small size of the LC has, however, rendered its functional characterization difficult in humans, including in aging. A full characterization of the structural and functional characteristics of the LC in healthy young and late middle-aged individuals is needed to determine the potential roles of the LC in different medical conditions. Here, we wanted to determine whether the activation of the LC in a mismatch negativity task changes in aging and whether the LC functional response was associa

SUBMITTER: Berger A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10406214 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature