The Effect of Aging on Face-Name Recognition: An fMRI Study

Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2024 Fall;35(3):214-224. doi: 10.5080/u27095. Epub 2024 Aug 14.
[Article in English, Turkish]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to detect functional changes in the brain during the memory task with aging and the association between functional changes and memory performance.

Method: The study consisted of Young Adult Group (YAG, n=20) aged 20 to 25 and Late Adult Group (LAG, n=18) aged 60 to 70. Individuals with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores above 21 and no family history of Alzheimer's Disease were included in the study. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanning was performed on all participants during a memory task including encoding (face and name), face and name recognition sub-tasks.

Results: Results indicated that LAG showed increased activity during face recognition task in left posterior cingulate cortex, left superior frontal cortex, left fusiform face area and another increased activity was found out during name recognition task in left superior frontal cortex, right prefrontal cortex, left anterior + posterior cingulate cortex. The accuracy of face recognition and name recognition memory tests were significantly lower in LAG (respectively, p=0.026; p=0.001).

Conclusion: These results indicated that advanced age were associated with more widespread activation in brain during memory task. Thus with aging, individuals require more neuronal and cognitive resources during memory processing.

Keywords: Aging fMRI.; Cognitive Neuroscience; Memory.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging* / psychology
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Face
  • Facial Recognition
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Names
  • Recognition, Psychology
  • Young Adult