A modified neural circuit framework for semantic memory retrieval with implications for circuit modulation to treat verbal retrieval deficits.

Word finding difficulty is a frequent complaint in older age and disease states, but treatment options are lacking for such verbal retrieval deficits. Better understanding of the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical basis of verbal retrieval function may inform effective interventions. In this article, we review the current evidence of a neural retrieval circuit central to verbal production, including words and semantic memory, that involves the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), striatum (particularly caudate nucleus), and thalamus. We aim to offer a modified neural circuit framework expanded upon a memory retrieval model proposed in 2013 by Hart et al., as evidence from electrophysiological, functional brain imaging, and noninvasive electrical brain stimulation studies have provided additional pieces of information that converge on a shared neural circuit for retrieval of memory and words. We propose that both the left inferior frontal gyrus and fronto-polar regions should be included in the expanded circuit. All these regions have their respective functional roles during verbal retrieval, such as selection and inhibition during search, initiation and termination of search, maintenance of co-activation across cortical regions, as well as final activation of the retrieved information. We will also highlight the structural connectivity from and to the pre-SMA (e.g., frontal aslant tract and fronto-striatal tract) that facilitates communication between the regions within this circuit. Finally, we will discuss how this circuit and its correlated activity may be affected by disease states and how this circuit may serve as a novel target engagement for neuromodulatory treatment of verbal retrieval deficits.

Behavioral and neural measures of semantic conflict monitoring: Findings from a novel picture-word interference task.

Conflict monitoring has been studied extensively using experimental paradigms that manipulate perceptual dimensions of stimuli and responses. The picture-word interference (PWI) task has historically been used to examine semantic conflict, but primarily for the purpose of examining lexical retrieval. In this study, we utilized two novel PWI tasks to assess conflict monitoring in the context of semantic conflict. Participants included nineteen young adults (14F, age = 20.79 ± 3.14) who completed two tasks: Animals and Objects. Task and conflict effects were assessed by examining behavioral (reaction time and accuracy) and neurophysiological (oscillations in theta, alpha, and beta band) measures. Results revealed conflict effects within both tasks, but the pattern of findings differed across the two semantic categories. Participants were slower to respond to unmatched versus matched trials on the Objects task only and were less accurate responding to matched versus unmatched trials in the Animals task only. We also observed task differences, with participants responding more accurately on conflict trials for Animals compared to Objects. Differences in neural oscillations were observed, including between-task differences in low beta oscillations and within-task differences in theta, alpha, and low beta. We also observed significant correlations between task performance and standard measures of cognitive control. This work provides new insights into conflict monitoring, highlighting the importance of examining conflict across different semantic categories, especially in the context of animacy. The findings serve as a benchmark to assess conflict monitoring using PWI tasks across populations of varying cognitive ability.

Best practices for implementing a technology-based intervention protocol: Participant and researcher considerations.

Technology-based interventions present a promising approach to support health and wellness for older adults with a range of cognitive abilities. Technology can enhance access to interventions and support scaling of programs to reach more people. However, the use of technology for intervention delivery requires particular attention to users' needs and preferences and ensuring the materials are adaptable and supportive of a diverse range of technology proficiency levels. We share best practices based on lessons learned from the deployment of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) wherein we delivered an 8-week social engagement intervention through a video technology platform called OneClick for older adults with varying cognitive abilities. We developed a set of best practices and guidelines informed by the lessons learned through this RCT implementation. Technology-based interventions require attention to the application (e.g., video calls), system requirements (e.g., system memory, broadband internet), training (e.g., adaptability based on user competency), and support (e.g., handouts, live contact). These best practices relate to user needs; training design; personnel responsibility; structuring delivery and content; and evaluating success. These research-based best practices can guide the design, development, and implementation of technology-based interventions to support older adults with varying cognitive abilities.

Cognitive control in age-related hearing loss: A narrative review.

Recent evidence suggests links between hearing loss and cognitive impairment in older adults with peripheral age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Earliest cognitive changes have been observed in cognitive control; however, a cohesive account of cognitive control alterations in older adults with peripheral ARHL is lacking. Cognitive control refers to cognitive processes that manage and regulate one's behavior to achieve desired goals. This review summarizes behavioral evidence on alterations in three cognitive control processes, including cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory updating, in individuals with ARHL. Of the three processes, cognitive flexibility and working memory updating have been most extensively studied, with relatively fewer studies examining inhibitory control. Most consistent evidence is observed for long-term changes in cognitive flexibility, particularly in individuals with greater severity of ARHL. Equivocal evidence is seen for alterations in inhibitory control and working memory updating, with various factors contributing to inconsistencies across studies. Our review summarizes the emerging body of research on cognitive control in individuals with ARHL to guide future work in this area and considerations related to the management of cognitive issues in this population.

Differences in electroencephalography oscillations between normal aging and mild cognitive impairment during semantic memory retrieval.

Semantic memory remains relatively stable with normal cognitive aging and declines in early stages of neurodegenerative disease. We measured electroencephalography (EEG) oscillatory correlates of semantic memory retrieval to examine the effects of normal and pathological aging. Twenty-nine cognitively healthy young adults (YA), 22 cognitively healthy aging adults (HA) and 20 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) completed a semantic memory retrieval task with concurrent EEG recording in which they judged whether two words (features of objects) led to retrieval of an object (retrieval) or not (non-retrieval). Event-related power changes contrasting the two conditions (retrieval vs. non-retrieval) within theta, alpha, low-beta and high-beta EEG frequency bands were examined for normal aging (YA vs. HA) and pathological aging effects (HA vs. MCI). With no behavioural differences between the two normal age groups, we found later theta and alpha event-related power differences between conditions only in YA and a high-beta event-related power difference only in HA. For pathological aging effects, with reduced accuracy in MCI, we found different EEG patterns of early event-related beta power differences between conditions in MCI compared with HA and an event-related low-beta power difference only in HA. Beta oscillations were correlated with behavioural performance only in HA. We conclude that the aging brain relies on faster (beta) oscillations during the semantic memory task. With pathological aging, retrieval accuracy declines and pattern of beta oscillation changes. The findings provide insights about age-related neural mechanisms underlying semantic memory and have implications for early detection of pathological aging.

Disrupted Value-Directed Strategic Processing in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Behavioral and Neural Correlates.

Value-directed strategic processing involves attending to higher-value information while inhibiting lower-value information. This preferential processing is relatively preserved in cognitively normal older adults but is impaired in individuals with dementia. No studies have investigated whether value-directed strategic processing is disrupted in earlier stages of cognitive decline, namely, mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The current study examined behavioral and EEG differences in value-directed strategic processing between 18 individuals with MCI and 18 cognitively normal older controls using a value-directed list learning task. Behaviorally, individuals with MCI recalled fewer total and high-value words compared to controls, but no group differences were observed in low-value word recall. Neurally, individuals with MCI had reduced theta synchronization relative to controls between 100 and 200 ms post-stimulus. Greater alpha desynchronization was observed for high- versus low-value words between 300 and 400 ms in controls but not in the MCI group. The groups showed some processing similarities, with greater theta synchronization for low-value words between 700 and 800 ms and greater alpha desynchronization for high-value words between 500 and 1100 ms. Overall, value-directed strategic processing was compromised in individuals with MCI on both behavioral and neural measures relative to controls. These findings add to the growing body of literature on differences between typical cognitive aging and MCI.

EEG theta and alpha oscillations in early versus late mild cognitive impairment during a semantic Go/NoGo task.

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is marked by episodic memory deficits, which can be used to classify individuals into early MCI (EMCI) and late MCI (LMCI). Although mounting evidence suggests that individuals with aMCI have additional cognitive alterations including deficits in cognitive control, few have examined if EMCI and LMCI differ on processes other than episodic memory. Using a semantic Go/NoGo task, we examined differences in cognitive control between EMCI and LMCI on behavioral (accuracy and reaction time) and neural (scalp-recorded event-related oscillations in theta and alpha band) measures. Although no behavioral differences were observed between the EMCI and LMCI groups, differences in neural oscillations were observed. The LMCI group had higher theta synchronization on Go trials at central electrodes compared to the EMCI group. In addition, the EMCI group showed differences in theta power at central electrodes and alpha power at central and centro-parietal electrodes between Go and NoGo trials, while the LMCI group did not exhibit such differences. These findings suggest that while behavioral differences may not be observable, neural changes underlying cognitive control processes may differentiate EMCI and LMCI stages and may be useful to understand the trajectory of aMCI in future studies.

Cognitive Flexibility and Inhibition in Individuals with Age-Related Hearing Loss.

Growing evidence suggests alterations in cognitive control processes in individuals with varying degrees of age-related hearing loss (ARHL); however, alterations in those with unaided mild ARHL are understudied. The current study examined two cognitive control processes, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition, in 21 older adults with unaided mild ARHL and 18 age- and education-matched normal hearing (NH) controls. All participants underwent comprehensive audiological and cognitive evaluations including Trail Making Test-B, Verbal Fluency, Stroop, and two Go/NoGo tasks. Group differences in cognitive flexibility and inhibition as well as associations between peripheral and central hearing ability and measures of cognitive flexibility and inhibition were investigated. Findings revealed that the ARHL group took significantly longer to complete the Stroop task and had higher error rates on NoGo trials on both Go/NoGo tasks relative to the NH controls. Additionally, poorer peripheral and central hearing were associated with poorer cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Our findings suggest slower and more inefficient inhibitory control in the mild ARHL group relative to the NH group and add to decades of research on the association between hearing and cognition.

An Integrative Framework to Guide Social Engagement Interventions and Technology Design for Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are associated with poor health outcomes and have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment and incident dementia. Social engagement has been identified as a key factor in promoting positive health behaviors and quality of life and preventing social isolation and loneliness. Studies involving cognitively healthy older adults have shown the protective effects of both in-person and technology-based social engagement. However, the benefits of social engagement for people who are already at-risk of developing dementia, namely those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), have yet to be elucidated. We present a narrative review of the literature, summarizing the research on social engagement in MCI. First, we identified social networks (quality, size, frequency, and closeness) and social activities (frequency, format, purpose, type, and content) as two overarching dimensions of an integrative framework for social engagement derived from literature examining typical cognitive aging. We then used this framework as a lens to examine studies of social engagement in MCI to explore (i) the relationship between in-person and technology-based social engagement and cognitive, emotional, and physical health, and (ii) interventions that target social engagement including technology-based approaches. Overall, we found that persons with MCI (PwMCI) may have different levels of social engagement than those experiencing typical cognitive aging. Moreover, in-person social engagement can have a positive impact on cognitive, emotional, and physical health for PwMCI. With respect to activity and network dimensions in our framework, we found that cognitive health has been more widely examined in PwMCI relative to physical and emotional health. Very few intervention studies have targeted social engagement, but both in-person and technology-based interventions appear to have promising health and well-being outcomes. Our multidimensional framework of social engagement provides guidance for research on characterizing the protective benefits of social engagement for PwMCI and informs the development of novel interventions including technology-based approaches.

Pure Tone Audiometry and Hearing Loss in Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

An association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has been widely reported. However, the nature of this relationship remains poorly understood. Quantification of hearing loss as it relates to AD is imperative for the creation of reliable, hearing-related biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and development of ARHL treatments that may slow the progression of AD. Previous studies that have measured the association between peripheral hearing function and AD have yielded mixed results. Most of these studies have been small and underpowered to reveal an association. Therefore, in the current report, we sought to estimate the degree to which AD patients have impaired hearing by performing a meta-analysis to increase statistical power. We reviewed 248 published studies that quantified peripheral hearing function using pure-tone audiometry for subjects with AD. Six studies, with a combined total of 171 subjects with AD compared to 222 age-matched controls, met inclusion criteria. We found a statistically significant increase in hearing threshold as measured by pure tone audiometry for subjects with AD compared to controls. For a three-frequency pure tone average calculated for air conduction thresholds at 500-1,000-2,000 Hz (0.5-2 kHz PTA), an increase of 2.3 decibel hearing level (dB HL) was found in subjects with AD compared to controls (p = 0.001). Likewise, for a four-frequency pure tone average calculated at 500-1,000-2,000-4,000 (0.5-4 kHz PTA), an increase of 4.5 dB HL was measured (p = 0.002), and this increase was significantly greater than that seen for 0.5-2 kHz PTA. There was no difference in the average age of the control and AD subjects. These data confirm the presence of poorer hearing ability in AD subjects, provided a quantitative estimate of the magnitude of hearing loss, and suggest that the magnitude of the effect is greater at higher sound frequencies. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021288280.

Investigating EEG theta and alpha oscillations as measures of value-directed strategic processing in cognitively normal younger and older adults.

Value-directed strategic processing is an ability that appears to be relatively preserved with aging, but the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying strategic processing in older adults are not well understood. The current study examined age-related spectral power differences in EEG oscillations linked to processing of high-value versus low-value information in a value-directed strategic processing task in 24 younger adults (mean age: 22.4 ± 1.2 years) and 24 older adults (mean age: 63.2 ± 6.4 years). Both groups exhibited comparable strategic processing ability behaviorally with preferential recall of high- compared to low-value words. Both groups exhibited comparable theta band power with greater synchronization for low- compared to high-value words, but age-related differences in processing were noted in alpha band power. Older adults showed more prolonged alpha desynchronization for high- compared to low-value words relative to younger adults. This neurophysiological modulation in the alpha band in older adults might reflect a compensatory neural mechanism or increased effort linked to selective engagement of neural resources, allowing them to perform similarly to younger adults behaviorally on a value-directed strategic processing task.

Design guidance for video chat system to support social engagement for older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Social engagement technologies offer an opportunity to reduce social isolation. However, there are barriers to adoption among older adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Technology designed to meet the needs of those users may improve the acceptability, adoption, and benefits of social engagement technology. Objective: The goal was to assess older adults' needs and preferences for using video chat systems. We used the Technology Acceptance Model as a framework for evaluating and optimizing usability of a web-based video chat system for older adults with and without MCI. Methods: Mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) were used to achieve this objective. We developed questionnaires and interviews to identify experiences with video chat, and preferences and attitudes towards a web-based video chat system. We conducted heuristic analysis to evaluate and improve the usability of the system. Results: Participants reportedly used video chat less than other social network tools (e.g., Email). They were open to using a web-based video chat system to meet new people of all ages with shared interests. Their favorite topics of conversation were books, health, family, and exercise. Their ideal group size for a video chat session was 3 to 6 people. Overall, participants' attitudes toward the system were positive and they perceived the system as easy to use and useful for social engagement. Their evaluations indicated high usability of the system. However, individuals with MCI might require additional assistance to use the system. Usability issues were identified, such as technical terminology, small font size, and potentially confusing icons that were addressed in the redesign. Conclusion: Older adults, with and without MCI, were interested in using a social engagement technology to interact with previously unfamiliar individuals with shared interests. They provided valuable insights for the design of the systems. Our findings provide guidance for the design of social engagement technologies. Our research approach serves as a case study for the assessment of other technology platforms.

Effects of Traditional vs. iPad-Enhanced Aerobic Exercise on Wayfinding Efficacy and Cognition: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of an iPad-enhanced aerobic exercise intervention designed to enhance wayfinding efficacy and performance and relevant cognitive functioning among middle-aged adults at risk for cognitive impairment. Twenty-seven low active adults (21 females) aged 45 to 62 years (51.22 ± 5.20) participated in a ten-week randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized to an iPad-enhanced aerobic exercise group (experimental group) or an aerobic exercise-only group (control group) following baseline assessment. Both groups exercised at 50% to 75% of age-predicted heart rate maximum for 30 to 50 min/d, 2 d/wk for 10 weeks. During aerobic exercise, the experimental group engaged in virtual tours delivered via iPad. Baseline and post-intervention assessments of wayfinding self-efficacy, wayfinding task performance, cognitive functioning, electroencephalogram (EEG), and psychosocial questionnaires were administered. The results suggest that ten weeks of iPad-enhanced, moderately intense aerobic exercise had specific effects on wayfinding self-efficacy; however, no statistical differences were found between groups on the behavioral wayfinding task or spatial memory performance at follow-up. Performance scores on an inhibitory attentional-control cognitive assessment revealed significant differences between groups, favoring the experimental group (p < 0.05). Virtual reality-enhanced aerobic exercise may prove to be an effective method for improving cognitive function and increasing confidence to navigate real-world scenarios among individuals at risk of cognitive impairment.

Theta and alpha band oscillations during value-directed strategic processing.

Strategic processing allows for value-based preferential encoding of information. Event-related spectral perturbations can provide insights into neural processes linked to the different aspects of strategic processing. This study examined theta and alpha band power differences linked to processing of high- versus low-value information. Thirty-three young adults (17 F; mean age: 21.2 ± 1.5 years) completed a value-directed word list learning task. The task consisted of five word lists that each contained a unique set of high- and low-value words that were visually presented one at a time and EEG corresponding to these words were examined. To encourage strategic processing, participants were informed that after each list they would be asked to recall as many words as possible with their goal being to maximize their score. Overall, participants recalled more high-value words for each of the five lists as compared to low-value words, which supports that participants engaged in strategic processing. Frontal theta band power showed greater positivity during processing of low- compared to high-value words, whereas parietal alpha band power showed greater negativity during processing of high- compared to low-value words. These findings suggest that theta and alpha bands index different aspects of strategic processing, namely inhibition and selective attention, and have future applications for understanding the effects of aging and brain diseases/disorders.

Event-related neural oscillation changes following reasoning training in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Emerging evidence suggests cognitive training programs targeting higher-order reasoning may strengthen not only cognitive, but also neural functions in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). However, research on direct measures of training-induced neural changes, derivable from electroencephalography (EEG), is limited. The current pilot study examined effects of Gist Reasoning training (n = 16) compared to New Learning training (n = 16) in older adults with amnestic MCI on measures of event-related neural oscillations (theta and alpha band power) corresponding to Go/NoGo tasks during basic and superordinate semantic categorization. EEG data were recorded while participants performed the Go/NoGo task pre- and post-training, and power in theta and alpha frequency bands was examined. Both groups were comparable at pre-training on all measures and both groups showed greater event-related theta synchronization post-training. Furthermore, the Gist Reasoning group had enhanced event-related desynchronization in low-frequency alpha band (8-10 Hz) on response inhibition (NoGo) trials and high-frequency alpha band (11-13 Hz) on response execution (Go) trials during superordinate categorization, relative to the New Learning group. These findings suggest that Gist Reasoning training in MCI impacted neural processing linked to strategic processing of Go and NoGo trials during the more complex superordinate categorization task. Targeting higher-order top-down cognitive processing seems to better harness residual neuroplastic potential in MCI. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02588209.

Conjoint differences in inhibitory control and processing speed in childhood to older adult cohorts: Discriminant functions from a Go/No-Go task.

To investigate differences in inhibitory control and processing speed over the life span, participants in 7- to 8-, 10- to 11-, 12- to 15-, 18- to 25-, and 54- to 80-year-old age cohorts completed a Go/No-Go task requiring varying levels of semantic categorization. Discriminant function analysis of correct rejection rates (CRRs), hit rates (HRs), and reaction times (RTs) revealed a function on which CRR loaded positively and RT loaded negatively, across categorization levels. Scores increased from youngest to the younger adult cohort and decreased for the older adult cohort. On a second function, CRR and RT loaded positively and HR loaded negatively across categorization levels. Scores were highest for the older adult cohort and higher for the youngest cohort than for the younger adult cohort. The results suggest change along 2 dimensions might underlie cognitive development: (a) combined increased inhibitory control and processing speed and (b) combined increased speed and decreased biased responding for better inhibitory control. In addition, 2 dimensions might underlie senescence: (a) combined decreased inhibitory control and processing speed and (b) combined decreased speed and increased biased responding for better inhibitory control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Auditory system dysfunction in Alzheimer disease and its prodromal states: A review.

Recent findings suggest that both peripheral and central auditory system dysfunction occur in the prodromal stages of Alzheimer Disease (AD), and therefore may represent early indicators of the disease. In addition, loss of auditory function itself leads to communication difficulties, social isolation and poor quality of life for both patients with AD and their caregivers. Developing a greater understanding of auditory dysfunction in early AD may shed light on the mechanisms of disease progression and carry diagnostic and therapeutic importance. Herein, we review the literature on hearing abilities in AD and its prodromal stages investigated through methods such as pure-tone audiometry, dichotic listening tasks, and evoked response potentials. We propose that screening for peripheral and central auditory dysfunction in at-risk populations is a low-cost and effective means to identify early AD pathology and provides an entry point for therapeutic interventions that enhance the quality of life of AD patients.

Age effects on event-related potentials in individuals with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment during semantic categorization Go/NoGo tasks.

Both age and amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), two major risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, have been associated with increased latency of event-related potentials, but how these factors interact has been less extensively evaluated. We examined the effects of age as a factor in 25 individuals with aMCI and in 25 age-matched normal controls (NC) during semantic categorization Go/NoGo tasks. We found that N2 latency was prolonged with increasing age in aMCI but not in the NC, and P3 latency was prolonged with increasing age in both groups. Furthermore, aMCI individuals showed significant prolongation in N2 latency compared to NC in the older age group, whereas such group differences were not observed in the younger age group. Our findings suggest that N2 latency corresponding to cognitive control is susceptible to a combination of age and disease effects, especially in older individuals, and thus may be useful in differentiating normal from pathological aging in this age group.

A multivariate predictive modeling approach reveals a novel CSF peptide signature for both Alzheimer's Disease state classification and for predicting future disease progression.

To determine if a multi-analyte cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) peptide signature can be used to differentiate Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and normal aged controls (NL), and to determine if this signature can also predict progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD, analysis of CSF samples was done on the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset. The profiles of 320 peptides from baseline CSF samples of 287 subjects over a 3-6 year period were analyzed. As expected, the peptide most able to differentiate between AD vs. NL was found to be Apolipoprotein E. Other peptides, some of which are not classically associated with AD, such as heart fatty acid binding protein, and the neuronal pentraxin receptor, also differentiated disease states. A sixteen-analyte signature was identified which differentiated AD vs. NL with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89, which was better than any combination of amyloid beta (1-42), tau, and phospho-181 tau. This same signature, when applied to a new and independent data set, also strongly predicted both probability and rate of future progression of MCI subjects to AD, better than traditional markers. These data suggest that multivariate peptide signatures from CSF predict MCI to AD progression, and point to potentially new roles for certain proteins not typically associated with AD.

Theta and Alpha Alterations in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment in Semantic Go/NoGo Tasks.

Growing evidence suggests that cognitive control processes are impaired in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI); however the nature of these alterations needs further examination. The current study examined differences in electroencephalographic theta and alpha power related to cognitive control processes involving response execution and response inhibition in 22 individuals with aMCI and 22 age-, sex-, and education-matched cognitively normal controls. Two Go/NoGo tasks involving semantic categorization were used. In the basic categorization task, Go/NoGo responses were made based on exemplars of a single car (Go) and a single dog (NoGo). In the superordinate categorization task, responses were made based on multiple exemplars of objects (Go) and animals (NoGo). Behavioral data showed that the aMCI group had more false alarms during the NoGo trials compared to controls. The EEG data revealed between group differences related to response type in theta (4-7 Hz) and low-frequency alpha (8-10 Hz) power. In particular, the aMCI group differed from controls in theta power during the NoGo trials at frontal and parietal electrodes, and in low-frequency alpha power during Go trials at parietal electrodes. These results suggest that alterations in theta power converge with behavioral deterioration in response inhibition, whereas alterations in low-frequency alpha power appear to precede behavioral changes in response execution. Both behavioral and electrophysiological correlates combined provide a more comprehensive characterization of cognitive control deficits in aMCI.