Role of Inflammatory risk and myelin in executive function and episodic memory performance in a longitudinal lifespan sample of healthy adults

Motivation: Explore the contribution of individual factors to structural brain changes, and the cognitive outcomes that are associated with such changes. Goal(s): Study aimed to examine the effects of inflammatory risk factors on a myelin proxy, measured by the ratio of T1w and T2w images, as well as the interactions of these factors and myelin on cognition. Approach: We utilized 3 neuroimaging techniques, genetic sequencing, and cognitive assessment to study the links between myelin, IL-1β, iron deposits, and cognition in general linear models. Results: Myelin and iron interact to affect future executive function and memory performance across the lifespan. Impact: We demonstrated that non-invasive and widely available imaging techniques can predict cognitive outcomes several years later, and thus might provide clinically relevant targets for mitigating cognitive aging.