Age-related changes in intrinsic connectivity in the hippocampus

Motivation: Age-related cognitive decline remains poorly understood, particularly regarding hippocampal subregion networks. Goal(s): To investigate differences in hippocampal subregion networks between young and older adults. Approach: MRI and neuropsychological assessments were used to evaluate hippocampal connectivity in 298 participants. Results: Older adults showed reduced overall functional connectivity in the hippocampus, but a compensatory increase specifically in the CA1 subregion, suggesting mechanisms that help maintain cognitive function despite hippocampal atrophy. Impact: This study provides important insights into the brain mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline, specifically highlighting MRI-based changes in hippocampal intrinsic connectivity. These findings also suggest potential targets for hippocampus-targeted interventions to mitigate cognitive decline.