Growing evidence suggests that healthy aging affects the configuration of large-scale functional brain networks. This includes reducing network modularity and local efficiency. However, the stability of these effects over time and their potential role in learning remain poorly understood. The goal of the present study was to further clarify previously reported age effects on “resting-state” networks, to test their reliability over time, and to assess their relation to subsequent learning during training. Resting-state fMRI data from 23 young (YA) and 20 older adults (OA) were acquired in 2 sessions 2 weeks apart. Graph-theoretic analyses identified both consistencies in network structure and differences in module composition between YA and OA, suggesting topological changes and less stability of functional network configuration with aging. Brain-wide, OA showed lower modularity and local efficiency compared to YA, consistent with the idea of age-related functional dedifferentiation, and these effects were replicable over time. At the level of individual networks, OA consistently showed greater participation and lower local efficiency and within-network connectivity in the cingulo-opercular network, as well as lower intra-network connectivity in the default-mode network and greater participation of the somato-sensorimotor network, suggesting age-related differential effects at the level of specialized brain modules. Finally, brain-wide network properties showed associations, albeit limited, with learning rates, as assessed with 10 days of computerized working memory training administered after the resting-state sessions, suggesting that baseline network configuration may influence subsequent learning outcomes. Identification of neural mechanisms associated with learning-induced plasticity is important for further clarifying whether and how such changes predict the magnitude and maintenance of training gains, as well as the extent and limits of cognitive transfer in both younger and older adults.

Objective Preventive health service use is relatively low among older age groups. We hypothesized that aging satisfaction would be associated with increased use of preventive health services four years later. Method We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses on a sample of 6,177 people from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of U.S. adults over the age of 50 (M age = 70.6; women n = 3648; men n = 2528). Results Aging satisfaction was not associated with obtaining flu shots. However, in fully-adjusted models, each standard deviation increase in aging satisfaction was associated with higher odds of reporting service use for cholesterol tests (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00–1.20). Further, women with higher aging satisfaction were more likely to obtain a mammogram/x-ray (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.06–1.29) or pap smear (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00–1.21). Among men, the odds of obtaining a prostate exam increased with higher aging satisfaction (OR = 1.20 95% CI = 1.09–1.34). Conclusion These results suggest that aging satisfaction potentially influences preventive health service use after age 50.

Results provide promising evidence that enriching early environments are associated with late-life educational and cognitive outcomes. Findings support the cognitive reserve and engagement frameworks, and have implications to extend life-span prevention approaches when tackling age-related cognitive declines, diseases, and health disparities.

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Objective measures of community mobility are advantageous for capturing life-space activity. In contrast to subjective, self-reported approaches, GPS-derived objective measures leverage passive, real-time data collection techniques to mitigate recall bias and minimize participant burden. We present methods to quantify community mobility among a sample of 164 community-dwelling older adults (Mean age=77.3±6.5) from a physical therapy intervention aimed at improving walking ability. We characterized community mobility using activity space metrics (e.g., standard deviation ellipse (SDE) area), timing (e.g., time outside home), and shape (e.g., SDE compactness). We will discuss challenges and solutions to generating these metrics as well as their associations with physical and cognitive performance. Time outside of home and SDE area, but not SDE compactness, were correlated with better performance on the 6-Minute Walking Test and Trail-Making Test (Part B) (ρ=.20-.23, p’s<.05). These findings will aid in understanding which community mobility measures are associated with functional capacity.

Objectives Numerous studies show benefits of mid- and late-life activity on neurocognitive health. Yet, few studies have examined how engagement in enriching activities during childhood, when the brain is most plastic, may confer long-term neurocognitive benefits that may be especially important to individuals raised in low-income settings. We examined associations between enriching early-life activities (EELAs) and hippocampal and amygdala volumes in a sample of predominantly African-American, community-dwelling older adults. We further assessed whether these associations were independent of current activity engagement. Methods Ninety participants from the baseline Brain Health Substudy of the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial (mean age: 67.4) completed retrospective activity inventories and an magnetic resonance imaging scan. Volumes were segmented using FreeSurfer. Results Each additional EELA was associated with a 2.3% (66.6 mm3) greater amygdala volume after adjusting for covariates. For men, each additional EELA was associated with a 4.1% (278.9 mm3) greater hippocampal volume. Associations were specific to these regions when compared with the thalamus, used as a control region. Discussion Enriching lifestyle activities during an important window of childhood brain development may be a modifiable factor that impacts lifelong brain reserve, and results highlight the importance of providing access to such activities in historically underserved populations.

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