Descriptive data of the matched sample (n = 130).

BackgroundParticipation in multimodal leisure activities, such as playing a musical instrument, may be protective against brain aging and dementia in older adults (OA). Potential neuroprotective correlates underlying musical activity remain unclear.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study investigated the association between lifetime musical activity and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in three higher-order brain networks: the Default Mode, Fronto-Parietal, and Salience networks.MethodsWe assessed 130 cognitively unimpaired participants (≥ 60 years) from the baseline cohort of the DZNE-Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study (DELCODE) study. Lifetime musical activity was operationalized by the self-reported participation in musical instrument playing across early, middle, and late life stages using the Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire (LEQ). Participants who reported musical activity during all life stages (n = 65) were compared to controls who were matched on demographic and reserve characteristics (including education, intelligence, socioeconomic status, self-reported physical activity, age, and sex) and never played a musical instrument (n = 65) in local (seed-to-voxel) and global (within-network and between-network) RSFC patterns using pre-specified network seeds.ResultsOlder participants with lifetime musical activity showed significantly higher local RSFC between the medial prefrontal cortex (Default Mode Network seed) and temporal as well as frontal regions, namely the right temporal pole and the right precentral gyrus extending into the superior frontal gyrus, compared to matched controls. There were no significant group differences in global RSFC within or between the three networks.ConclusionWe show that playing a musical instrument during life relates to higher RSFC of the medial prefrontal cortex with distant brain regions involved in higher-order cognitive and motor processes. Preserved or enhanced functional connectivity could potentially contribute to better brain health and resilience in OA with a history in musical activity.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00007966, 04/05/2015).【背景】参与器乐演奏等多模态休闲活动，或对老年人（older adults, OA）的脑衰老与痴呆具有保护作用。然而，音乐活动潜在的神经保护相关机制仍不明确。 【目的】本横断面研究探讨了终身音乐活动与3种高级脑网络的静息态功能连接（resting-state functional connectivity, RSFC）之间的关联，这3种网络分别为默认模式网络（Default Mode Network）、额顶网络（Fronto-Parietal Network）与突显网络（Salience Network）。 【方法】我们从德国神经退行性疾病研究中心纵向认知障碍与痴呆研究队列（DZNE-Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study, DELCODE）的基线队列中，纳入了130名认知正常的老年参与者（年龄≥60岁）。采用终身经历问卷（Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire, LEQ），通过自我报告的早年、中年与晚年阶段参与器乐演奏的情况，量化评估终身音乐活动水平。将在所有人生阶段均报告有音乐活动的参与者（n=65），与人口学特征及认知储备特征（包括教育程度、智力水平、社会经济地位、自我报告的体力活动、年龄与性别）相匹配且从未演奏过乐器的对照组参与者（n=65）进行对比，分析二者的局部（种子点-体素，seed-to-voxel）与全局（网络内及网络间，within-network and between-network）RSFC模式，分析时使用预先设定的网络种子点。 【结果】与匹配对照组相比，终身有音乐活动的老年参与者，其内侧前额叶皮层（medial prefrontal cortex，默认模式网络种子点）与颞叶及额叶区域——即右侧颞极（right temporal pole）与延伸至额上回（superior frontal gyrus）的右侧中央前回（right precentral gyrus）——之间的局部RSFC显著更高。3种网络的网络内及网络间RSFC均未出现显著组间差异。 【结论】本研究表明，终身演奏乐器与内侧前额叶皮层和参与高级认知及运动过程的远端脑区间更高的RSFC相关。具备音乐活动史的老年人，其功能连接的保留或增强，或可助力改善脑健康与认知韧性。 【试验注册】德国临床试验注册库（German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00007966，2015年5月4日）。