5. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our findings implicate a shift in neural dynamics from
young to older adults on semantic memory retrieval assessed with SORT.
Beta oscillations may suggest an age-related reorganization of the
semantic neural network as a compensatory mechanism in normal aging. The
decline and change in pattern of this beta activity observed in MCI
could serve as a sensitive biomarker for detecting early disease
processes. We recognize that this data examines group level differences
and future work is necessary to examine how these markers can be
utilized at the individual level to differentiate normal versus
pathological aging. Also, longitudinal studies would be warranted in the
future to understand if changes in these brain oscillatory responses can
predict disease progression. To our knowledge, our study is the first to
directly examine both normal and pathological aging effects to
demonstrate EEG oscillatory changes during semantic memory retrieval.