Viard, Armelle and Allen, Andrew P. and Doyle, Caoilainn M. and Naveau, Mikaël and Bokde, Arun L. W. and Platel, Hervé and Eustache, Francis and Commins, Sean and Roche, Richard A. P. (2024) Autobiographical Cerebral Network Activation in Older Adults Before and After Reminiscence Therapy: A Preliminary Report. Biological Research For Nursing, 26 (2). pp. 257-269. ISSN 1099-8004

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Abstract

Introduction: Reminiscence therapy (RT), which engages individuals to evoke positive memories, has been shown to be effective in improving psychological well-being in older adults suffering from PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, its impact on brain function has yet to be determined. This paper presents functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to describe changes in autobiographical memory networks (AMN) in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This pilot study used a within-subject design to measure changes in AMN activation in 11 older adults who underwent 6 weeks of RT. In the scanner, participants retrieved autobiographical memories which were either recent or remote, rehearsed or unrehearsed. Participants also underwent a clinical interview to assess changes in memory, quality of life, mental health, and affect. Findings: Compared to pretreatment, anxiety decreased (z = -2.014, p = .040) and activated significant areas within the AMN, including bilateral medial prefrontal cortex, left precuneus, right occipital cortex, and left anterior hippocampus. Conclusion: Although RT had subtle effects on psychological function in this sample with no evidence of impairments, including depression at baseline, the fMRI data support current thinking of the effect RT has on the AMN. Increased activation of right posterior hippocampus following RT is compatible with the Multiple Trace Theory Theory (Nadel & Moscovitch, 1997).

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	autobiographical memory; functional MRI; older adults; reminiscence therapy;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	18722
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1177/10998004231210982
Depositing User:	Richard Roche
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2024 09:09
Journal or Publication Title:	Biological Research For Nursing
Publisher:	Sage Publications
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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