Are fMRI findings on emotional aging affected by cerebrovascular aging?

Age-related changes in emotional circuitry have been studied using BOLD fMRI and revealed age-related increases in the activation of the prefrontal cortex and inconsistent findings in the amygdala. Previous emotional aging studies did not account for vascular aging which causes a reduction in cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR). Using picture viewing task fMRI and gas inhalation MRI, the fMRI signals are calibrated by the vascular measures to improve the inference of neural activity. After accounting for vascular changes, age-invariant activity was seen in the amygdala, and increased age-related activation of prefrontal regions was observed compared to activation before vascular correction.