Journal
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volume 376, Issue 1815, Pages -Publisher
ROYAL SOC
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0631
Keywords
neurovascular; cerebrovascular; cardiovascular; ageing; fMRI; cognitive function
Categories
Funding
- British Academy [PF160048]
- Guarantors of Brain [G101149]
- Wellcome Trust [103838]
- Medical Research Council [SUAG/051 G101400, SUAG/046 G101400]
- European Union [732592]
- Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre
- BBSRC [BB/H008217/1] Funding Source: UKRI
- MRC [MC_U105597119, MC_UU_00005/12, MC_UU_00005/8] Funding Source: UKRI
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Accurate identification of brain function is necessary for understanding cognitive ageing, and fMRI is a common tool used for this purpose. However, studies on vascular ageing factors are limited, and current approaches focus on dissociating neuronal and vascular components of BOLD-fMRI. Emerging evidence suggests that vascular mechanisms in the brain have complex interactions that influence neuronal function.
Accurate identification of brain function is necessary to understand the neurobiology of cognitive ageing, and thereby promote well-being across the lifespan. A common tool used to investigate neurocognitive ageing is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, although fMRI data are often interpreted in terms of neuronal activity, the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal measured by fMRI includes contributions of both vascular and neuronal factors, which change differentially with age. While some studies investigate vascular ageing factors, the results of these studies are not well known within the field of neurocognitive ageing and therefore vascular confounds in neurocognitive fMRI studies are common. Despite over 10 000 BOLD-fMRI papers on ageing, fewer than 20 have applied techniques to correct for vascular effects. However, neurovascular ageing is not only a confound in fMRI, but an important feature in its own right, to be assessed alongside measures of neuronal ageing. We review current approaches to dissociate neuronal and vascular components of BOLD-fMRI of regional activity and functional connectivity. We highlight emerging evidence that vascular mechanisms in the brain do not simply control blood flow to support the metabolic needs of neurons, but form complex neurovascular interactions that influence neuronal function in health and disease. This article is part of the theme issue 'Key relationships between non-invasive functional neuroimaging and the underlying neuronal activity'.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available