# Frequency‐Resolved Cortical Functional Connectivity Across the Adult Lifespan

## TL;DR

This study shows how brain connectivity changes with age in different frequency bands, linking these changes to sensorimotor function.

## Contribution

The study reveals frequency-specific changes in resting-state brain connectivity across the adult lifespan and their behavioral relevance.

## Key findings

- Alpha-band connectivity decreases with age, while delta, theta, and gamma-band connectivity increases.
- Beta-band connectivity peaks in middle age and is linked to sensorimotor attenuation.
- Changes in brain connectivity are not explained by changes in oscillatory power.

## Abstract

The operation of the human brain relies on functional networks enabled by inter‐areal oscillatory synchronization between neuronal populations. Although disruptions in this functional connectivity are associated with brain disorders, evidence on its healthy age‐dependent variation and behavioral relevance remains limited. Utilizing magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings from 576 adults aged 18–87 years, we investigated the evolution of resting‐state functional connectivity (rs‐FC) across the healthy adult lifespan. We observed age‐related, frequency‐specific changes in widespread cortical networks. Alpha‐band (8–13 Hz) rs‐FC decreased, while delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), and gamma‐band (40–90 Hz) rs‐FC increased with age. Beta‐band (13–30 Hz) rs‐FC followed a non‐linear trajectory, peaking in middle age. The global delta, theta, alpha, and beta‐band patterns differed from concurrent changes in oscillatory power, underscoring their dissociable contributions. Notably, reduced beta‐band rs‐FC was associated with increased sensorimotor attenuation, indicating that changes in rs‐FC are behaviorally relevant for sensorimotor function. These findings advance our understanding of healthy brain aging and highlight a link between resting‐state brain activity and sensorimotor integration.

Functional connectivity is altered across the healthy adult lifespan in a frequency‐dependent manner.Changes in source power do not explain global functional connectivity trajectories.Beta‐band connectivity at rest is associated with sensorimotor attenuation independent of age‐related effects.

Functional connectivity is altered across the healthy adult lifespan in a frequency‐dependent manner.

Changes in source power do not explain global functional connectivity trajectories.

Beta‐band connectivity at rest is associated with sensorimotor attenuation independent of age‐related effects.

An analysis of magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings from 576 adults aged 18–87 years revealed frequency‐dependent changes in cortical functional connectivity across the adult lifespan, which are not explained by changes in source power. Beta‐band (13–30 Hz) connectivity at rest is associated with sensorimotor attenuation independent of these age‐related effects.