Age-related difference in use-dependent plasticity after divergent thinking session matches posterior-anterior shift in aging (PASA) model

摘要

Repetitive cognitive activity has the potential to improve cognitive functioning through neuroplasticity. Despite evidence for task-specific traces after task performance in young adults, age differences of experience-related neuroplasticity remains understudied. Common patterns of age-related changes in brain activity across a variety of cognitive functions suggest the hemispheric asymmetry reduction in older adults (HAROLD) and the posterior-to-anterior shift in aging (PASA). We can expect that those models appear as age specificity of experience-related neuroplasticity. The aim of the current study was to investigate the age-related specificity in use-dependent changes between pre-training and post-training baseline alpha EEG rhythm measures. 31 younger (Mean age = 21.3) and 30 older adults (Mean age=64.2) underwent a divergent thinking training session with concomitant 52-channel EEG registration. Upper alpha power was calculated via Fourier transform; current source density estimates and statistical nonparametric mapping were calculated via LORETA. Alpha power increased from baseline to post-session interval in the both age groups, indicating use-dependent plasticity. The anterior-posterior gradient (posterior>anterior) of alpha power increases from baseline to post-session interval in the left hemisphere was more pronounced in younger adults, than in older. Use-dependent plasticity has the same pattern of age differences as PASA postulates, that is, decrease in posterior coupled with increase in anterior areas. The results emphasize that PASA model reflects a global age-associated shift in brain function.