Computational memory capacity predicts aging and cognitive decline
Memory is a crucial cognitive function that deteriorates with age. However, this ability is normally assessed using cognitive tests instead of the architecture of brain networks. Here, we use reservoir computing, a recurrent neural network computing paradigm, to assess the linear memory capacities of neural-network reservoirs extracted from brain anatomical connectivity data in a lifespan cohort of 636 individuals. The computational memory capacity emerges as a robust marker of aging, being associated with resting-state functional activity, white matter integrity, locus coeruleus signal intensity, and cognitive performance. We replicate our findings in an independent cohort of 154 young and 72 old individuals. By linking the computational memory capacity of the brain network with cognition, brain function and integrity, our findings open new pathways to employ reservoir computing to investigate aging and age-related disorders.
Authors
- Heidi I.L. Jacobs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7620-3822)
- Daniel Brunner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4003-3056)
- Giovanni Volpe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5057-1846)
- Mite Mijalkov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9844-4413)
- Sara García‐Ptacek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1537-6129)
- Dániel Veréb (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2077-5252)
- Emiliano Gómez-Ruiz
- Jiawei Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1474-8573)
- Yu-Wei Chang
- Per Svenningsson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6727-3802)
- Kathy Lüdge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4831-8910)
- Blanca Zufiria Gerbolés (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7756-630X)
- Anna Canal-García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7460-741X)
- Zhilei Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5155-6346)
- Massimiliano Passaretti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7932-8695)
- B. Mehlig (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3672-6538)
- Henrik Zetterberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3930-4354)
- Joana B. Pereira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4604-2711)
- Lance Storm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-6150)
- Miia Kivipelto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1069-1787)
- Hang Zhao
Institutions
- Technische Universität Ilmenau (DE)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Volvo (Sweden) (SE)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- University of Eastern Finland (FI)
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
- Franche-Comté Électronique Mécanique Thermique et Optique - Sciences et Technologies (FR)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Göteborgs Stads (SE)
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- UK Dementia Research Institute (GB)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (GB)
- University College London (GB)
- University of Gothenburg (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-03-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57995-0
- Citations
- 8
- Primary Topic
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 11.45
Funders
- Alzheimer's Association
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
- Familjen Erling-Perssons Stiftelse
- McGill University
- Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor
- EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- University College London
- European Commission
- Hjärnfonden
- Karolinska Institutet
- Vetenskapsrådet
- UK Dementia Research Institute
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
- Center for Innovative Medicine