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.