Aging and Cortical Excitability
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Healthy Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 50 - 85 |
| Updated: | 3/15/2019 |
| Start Date: | March 4, 2019 |
| End Date: | September 30, 2021 |
| Contact: | Keith M McGregor, PhD MS BA |
| Email: | keith.mcgregor@emory.edu |
| Phone: | (404) 321-6111 |
Effects of Aging on Cortical Excitability During Motor Learning
The objective of the current proposal is to identify 1) how aging-related changes in
GABAergic cortical inhibition affect motor performance, and 2) how aerobic exercise may
improve inhibitory function and facilitate motor learning.
GABAergic cortical inhibition affect motor performance, and 2) how aerobic exercise may
improve inhibitory function and facilitate motor learning.
The current proposal seeks quantify neural inhibition using magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(MRS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in older Veterans to identify how each
measures contributes to aging-related changes in motor performance. Currently, over 56% (11.8
million) of Veterans are over age 60. Recent research has shown that aging is associated with
decreased cortical inhibition and impaired hand motor function. However, this loss of
inhibition is not an inescapable consequence of aging. The investigators' previous work that
healthy older adults who engage in regular physical activity show increased cortical
inhibition and improved dexterity as compared to their sedentary age cohort. This indicates
that aerobic training may reverse aging related changes in cortical inhibition and alteration
of tonic levels of cortical excitability can have a powerful impact on motor performance in
the aging brain. In the current proposal, the investigators will enroll older adults to
assess how different measurements (TMS and MRS) of the dominant inhibitory neurotransmitter
in the brain - GABA differ in relation to motor control. During the MRS scan, participants
will perform a motor learning task to assess change in GABA level throughout the acquisition
session. These data will be compared with measures of cortical inhibition using TMS to
quantify neurotransmitter receptor activity with respect to aging-related changes in motor
performance. The investigators will also be comparing the effects of an aerobic exercise
intervention as compared to a contact matched stretching control. The investigators believe
this project is the first inquiry of its kind and will have an important impact in the
understanding of aging-related neurophysiological changes in the brain and how it can
remediate associated behavioral declines.
(MRS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in older Veterans to identify how each
measures contributes to aging-related changes in motor performance. Currently, over 56% (11.8
million) of Veterans are over age 60. Recent research has shown that aging is associated with
decreased cortical inhibition and impaired hand motor function. However, this loss of
inhibition is not an inescapable consequence of aging. The investigators' previous work that
healthy older adults who engage in regular physical activity show increased cortical
inhibition and improved dexterity as compared to their sedentary age cohort. This indicates
that aerobic training may reverse aging related changes in cortical inhibition and alteration
of tonic levels of cortical excitability can have a powerful impact on motor performance in
the aging brain. In the current proposal, the investigators will enroll older adults to
assess how different measurements (TMS and MRS) of the dominant inhibitory neurotransmitter
in the brain - GABA differ in relation to motor control. During the MRS scan, participants
will perform a motor learning task to assess change in GABA level throughout the acquisition
session. These data will be compared with measures of cortical inhibition using TMS to
quantify neurotransmitter receptor activity with respect to aging-related changes in motor
performance. The investigators will also be comparing the effects of an aerobic exercise
intervention as compared to a contact matched stretching control. The investigators believe
this project is the first inquiry of its kind and will have an important impact in the
understanding of aging-related neurophysiological changes in the brain and how it can
remediate associated behavioral declines.
Inclusion Criteria:
- living persons aged 50-85
Exclusion Criteria:
- unmanaged diabetes
- participants completing vigorous exercise per week
- participants whose profession requires vigorous physical labor
- contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging
We found this trial at
1
site
Decatur, Georgia 30033
Principal Investigator: Keith M. McGregor, PhD MS BA
Phone: 404-321-6111
Click here to add this to my saved trials
