Partial least squares method in the analysis of resting-state functional magnetic ...
| Grant number: | 11/00475-3 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | August 01, 2011 - July 31, 2014 |
| Field of knowledge: | Health Sciences - Medicine |
| Principal Investigator: | Geraldo Busatto Filho |
| Grantee: | Geraldo Busatto Filho |
| Home Institution: | Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Ana Carolina Brocanello Regina ; Edson Amaro Junior ; Luiz Roberto Kobuti Ferreira ; Maria da Graça Morais Martin |
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows the study of brain function and has provided important information about the cognitive decline associated with aging. Specific studies on the neurofunctional changes of autobiographical memory during aging are needed in order to clarify the neurophysiology of memory decline. Objectives: 1) to assess the correlation between autobiographical memory performance and activation of brain structures; 2) to determine the brain regions where there are differences in brain activation and deactivation between groups of young, middle-aged and elderly during retrieval of autobiographical events; 3) to identify differences between groups regarding functional connectivity during rest. Methods: healthy adults (20 elderly, 20 middle-aged and 20 young) will undergo fMRI during rest and two tasks: visual fixation and retrieval of autobiographical events. The images will be processed with the software SPM8, the two tasks will be contrasted and a correlation map between activation amplitude and performance on the task will be built. Images from each group will be analyzed both independently and through comparison between groups. The resting state data will be assessed using independent component analysis to identify the default mode network. Between-group comparisons will investigate differences in connectivity between the components of this network. (AU)