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The effects of aging on the brain activation pattern during a speech perception task: an fMRI study

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Abstract

In the present study, brain activation associated with speech perception processing was examined across four groups of adult participants with age ranges between 20 and 65 years, using functional MRI (fMRI). Cognitive performance demonstrates that performance accuracy declines with age. fMRI results reveal that all four groups of participants activated the same brain areas. The same brain activation pattern was found in all activated areas (except for the right superior temporal gyrus and right middle temporal gyrus); brain activity was increased from group 1 (20–29 years) to group 2 (30–39 years). However, it decreased in group 3 (40–49 years) with further decreases in group 4 participants (50–65 years). Result also reveals that three brain areas (superior temporal gyrus, Heschl’s gyrus and cerebellum) showed changes in brain laterality in the older participants, akin to a shift from left-lateralized to right-lateralized activity. The onset of this change was different across brain areas. Based on these findings we suggest that, whereas all four groups of participants used the same areas in processing, the engagement and recruitment of those areas differ with age as the brain grows older. Findings are discussed in the context of corroborating evidence of neural changes with age.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Sa’don Samian from Department of Radiology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, for the assistance in fMRI scans. We also thank Mohammad Hairol Isa from Jabatan Kesihatan Masyarakat Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centre, for his help on managing older participants. We also thank Noorazrul Azmie Yahya from Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Program, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, for his ideas, and insight. This work is supported by the Research University Grant UKM GUP-SK-07-020-205.

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The author certify that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Program, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Hanani Abdul Manan & Ahmad Nazlim Yusoff

  2. Department of Psychology and fMRIotago, University of Otago, William James Building, 275 Leith Walk, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand

    Elizabeth A. Franz

  3. Audiology Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Siti Zamratol-Mai Sarah Mukari

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  1. Hanani Abdul Manan
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  2. Elizabeth A. Franz
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  4. Siti Zamratol-Mai Sarah Mukari
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Correspondence to Hanani Abdul Manan.

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Manan, H.A., Franz, E.A., Yusoff, A.N. et al. The effects of aging on the brain activation pattern during a speech perception task: an fMRI study. Aging Clin Exp Res 27, 27–36 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0240-0

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