How aging affects the premotor control of lower limb movements in simulated gait

Sacheli, Lucia Maria; Zapparoli, Laura; Bonandrini, Rolando; Preti, Matteo; Pelosi, Catia; Sconfienza, Luca Maria; Banfi, Giuseppe; Paulesu, Eraldo

doi:10.1002/hbm.24919

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(126 reference statements)

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“…Individuals can control a steady-state walking with only minimal use of attention-demanding executive resources of the central nervous system, that is, walking automaticity [ 31 ]. This process may involve the use of cortical regions [ 32 ] and lumbar spinal circuits producing automatic walking-like muscular activities [ 33 ]. In the human brainstem, however, the mechanism of walking automaticity is still unclear.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional MRI Reveals Locomotion-Control Neural Circuits in Human Brainstem

Wei

Zou

et al. 2020

Brain Sciences

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The cuneiform nucleus (CN) and the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) in the midbrain control coordinated locomotion in vertebrates, but whether similar mechanisms exist in humans remain to be elucidated. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that simulated gait evoked activations in the CN, PPN, and other brainstem regions in humans. Brain networks were constructed for each condition using functional connectivity. Bilateral CN–PPN and the four pons–medulla regions constituted two separate modules under all motor conditions, presenting two brainstem functional units for locomotion control. Outside- and inside-brainstem nodes were connected more densely although the links between the two groups were sparse. Functional connectivity and network analysis revealed the role of brainstem circuits in dual-task walking and walking automaticity. Together, our findings indicate that the CN, PPN, and other brainstem regions participate in locomotion control in humans.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional MRI Reveals Locomotion-Control Neural Circuits in Human Brainstem

Wei

Zou

et al. 2020

Brain Sciences

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“…In our previous studies, we found that (a) MI of gait maps in a meaningful way onto the visuo‐motor brain systems (Sacheli et al, 2017), identified by 18F‐FDG PET activation experiments on explicit gait (la Fougere et al, 2010), (b) aging is associated with increased functional demands on these motor networks for the mere task of foot movement execution (Sacheli et al, 2020) and (c) peripheral deficits of gait due to knee‐arthritis are associated with reduced MI abilities for gait accompanied by impoverished activation of MI specific networks (Sacheli et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The gait imagery tasks performed in the MRI scanner were adapted from Sacheli et al (2017, 2018, 2020).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Eyes wide shut: How visual cues affect brain patterns of simulated gait

Zapparoli

Seghezzi

Sacheli

et al. 2020

Human Brain Mapping

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In the last 20 years, motor imagery (MI) has been extensively used to train motor abilities in sport and in rehabilitation. However, MI procedures are not all alike as much as their potential beneficiaries. Here we assessed whether the addition of visual cues could make MI performance more comparable with explicit motor performance in gait tasks. With fMRI we also explored the neural correlates of these experimental manipulations. We did this in elderly subjects who are known to rely less on kinesthetic information while favoring visual strategies during motor performance. Contrary to expectations, we found that the temporal coupling between execution and imagery times, an index of the quality of MI, was less precise when participants were allowed to visually explore the environment. While the brain activation patterns of the gait motor circuits were very similar in both an open‐eyed and eye‐shut virtual walking MI task, these differed for a vast temporo‐occipito‐parietal additional activation for open‐eyed MI. Crucially, the higher was the activity in this posterior network, the less accurate was the MI performance with eyes open at a clinical test of gait. We conclude that both visually‐cued and internally‐cued MI are associated with the neurofunctional activation of a gait specific motor system. The less precise behavioral coupling between imagined and executed gait while keeping eyes open may be attributed to the processing load implied in visual monitoring and scanning of the environment. The implications of these observations for rehabilitation of gait with MI are discussed.

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“…Since a decline in the quality of motor representations, or an impoverished motor control might enhance the risk of traumatic injuries in older adults[ 53 ], this study aims to develop a motor control exercise training programme for the lower limps, including both motor and cognitive tasks. Researchers suggest that reduced automaticity of lower limb motor control in healthy older subjects leads to the recruitment of additional premotor resources even in the absence of basic gait functional disabilities[ 54 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodology of a home-based motor control exercise and ergonomic intervention programme for community-dwelling older people: The McHeELP study

Τσεκούρα¹,

Stasi²,

Gliatis³

et al. 2021

JFSF

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The aim of this research (Motor control Home ergonomics Elderlies’ Prevention of falls; McHeELP study) was to develop a novel intervention combining motor control home-based exercises and a home ergonomic safety-improvement strategy in order to reduce falls in frail ambulatory older adults. A randomized controlled trial of a novel intervention is proposed including motor control exercises and home ergonomic assessment and modification in older adults who have at least one fall experience. Participants are randomized to control or intervention group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants will be assessed three times: at baseline, at 3 rd month (end of intervention period) and again at 6 th month (follow-up measurement). The primary outcome is of the effect on functional mobility using the Timed Up and Go test. Secondary outcomes include assessments of functionality, fear of falling and quality of life. This will be the first study to develop an exercise intervention approach that combines home-based motor control exercise intervention with home assessment and modification. This study is expected to explore a low-cost, easy-to-popularize, and effective exercise intervention approach for improving functional mobility and prevent falls among older adults.

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How aging affects the premotor control of lower limb movements in simulated gait

Cited by 8 publications

References 67 publications

Functional MRI Reveals Locomotion-Control Neural Circuits in Human Brainstem

Functional MRI Reveals Locomotion-Control Neural Circuits in Human Brainstem

Eyes wide shut: How visual cues affect brain patterns of simulated gait

Methodology of a home-based motor control exercise and ergonomic intervention programme for community-dwelling older people: The McHeELP study

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