White matter integrity in brain structures supporting semantic processing is associated with value-directed remembering in older adults.

ABSTRACT: White matter microstructure changes substantially in aging. To better understand how the integrity of white matter structures supports the selective learning of rewarding material, 23 healthy older adults were tested on a value-directed remembering task. This task involved successive free recall word lists where items differed in importance, as denoted by value cues preceding each word. White matter structure was measured using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We found that greater structural integrity (as measured by lower mean diffusivity) in left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus was associated with greater recall for high-value items, but not low-value items. Older adults with greater structural integrity in a tract involved in semantic processing are thus able to more successfully e

SUBMITTER: Hennessee JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6571157 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature