The Effect of Aging on Cross-Modal Sensory Processing

描述（申请人提供）：该研究项目旨在研究衰老过程中的跨通道感觉处理，因为研究表明，所有感觉系统的功能都会随着年龄的增长而减弱，最近的研究表明，（跨模态处理）受到正常衰老的影响，有趣的是，许多与衰老相关的残疾都会影响生活质量，例如增加的命运、通信干扰和记忆损伤可能与交叉模态处理的改变相关联。这个项目的具体目标是专门设计来识别随着年龄的增长发生的跨模态处理中的行为和神经变化。将使用功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）测量神经反应。受试者将在被动跨模态刺激期间，在跨模态匹配任务期间，以及在跨模态整合任务期间进行研究。将分析神经激活模式和行为数据，以确定与减少的跨模态过程相关的功能障碍的大脑区域。由于跨通道过程密切参与感觉处理的几乎所有方面，并在语言处理，空间定向和记忆中发挥关键作用，因此更好地了解随着年龄的增长而发生的变化可能有助于揭示老年人所经历的许多问题。候选人已完成临床（医学博士）和基础科学（博士）。培训，并希望从事临床研究的职业生涯。培训方案将包括统计和统计软件编程方面的教学指导。通过他的共同导师的指导，候选人将掌握必要的技能，在患者人群中进行科学研究。他的目标是将整个教育过程中获得的信息联合收割机结合起来，使他能够作为一名独立的研究人员研究人类大脑的疾病。医学的维克森林大学学院是一个环境，将允许申请人在临床神经科学中脱颖而出。放射科有一个积极的fMRI研究计划，并致力于扩大神经影像学研究组。J. Paul Sticht老龄化和康复中心是研究和教学活动的中心，也是老年患者临床治疗的关键地点。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The research project is designed to study cross-modal sensory processing in aging as it has been shown that all sensory systems exhibit diminished function with age and recent studies have suggested that the integration of information from multiple sensory modalities (cross-modal processing) is affected by normal aging, interestingly, many of the disabilities associated with aging that impact the quantity of life, such as increased fates, communication disturbances, and memory impairment may be associated with alterations of cross-modal processing. The Specific Aims for this project are purposely designed to identify behavioral and neural changes in cross-modal processing that occur with age. Neural responses will be measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Subjects will be studied during passive cross-modal stimulation, during a cross-modal matching task, and during a cross-modal integration task. Neural activation patterns and behavioral data will be analyzed to identify dysfunctional brain areas that correlate with diminished cross-modal processes. Because cross-modal processes are intimately involved in nearly all aspects of sensory processing and play critical roles in language processing, spatial orientation, and memory, a better understanding of changes that occur with age may help shed light on many of the problems experienced by aged individuals. The candidate has completed clinical (M.D,) and basic science (Ph.D.) training and has the desire to pursue a career in clinical research. The training program will include didactic instruction in statistics and statistical software programming. Through the guidance of his co-mentors, the candidate will master the skills necessary to perform scientific studies in patient populations. His goal is to combine the information acquired throughout his education to enable him to study diseases of the human brain as an independent investigator. The Wake Forest University School of Medicine is an environment that will allow the applicant to excel in the clinical neurosciences. The Department of Radiology has an active fMRl research program and is dedicated to expanding the neuroimaging research group. The J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging and Rehabilitation serves as the hub of research and teaching activities as well as a key location in the clinical treatment of elderly patients.