TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of aging on cortico-spinal excitability and motor memory consolidation
AU - Centeno, Carla
AU - Medeiros, Diogo
AU - Beck, Mikkel Malling
AU - Lugassy, Liav
AU - Gonzalez, David Fernandez
AU - Nepveu, Jean Francois
AU - Roig, Marc
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - We investigated whether cortico-spinal excitability (CSE), a marker of synaptic plasticity, is associated with age-related differences in the consolidation of motor memory. Young and older participants practiced a visuomotor tracking task. Skill retention was assessed 8 and 24 hours after motor practice. Transcranial magnetic stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex at rest and during an isometric muscle contraction was used to assess absolute and normalized to baseline CSE at different points after practice. When skill performance was normalized to baseline level, both groups showed similar gains in acquisition, but the young group showed better retention 24 hours after practice. The young group also showed greater absolute CSE assessed during the isometric muscle contraction. Although young participants with greater absolute CSE showed better skill retention, it was the capacity to increase CSE after motor practice, and not absolute CSE, what was associated with skill retention in older participants. Older adults who have the capacity to increase CSE during motor memory consolidation show a better capacity to retain motor skills.
AB - We investigated whether cortico-spinal excitability (CSE), a marker of synaptic plasticity, is associated with age-related differences in the consolidation of motor memory. Young and older participants practiced a visuomotor tracking task. Skill retention was assessed 8 and 24 hours after motor practice. Transcranial magnetic stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex at rest and during an isometric muscle contraction was used to assess absolute and normalized to baseline CSE at different points after practice. When skill performance was normalized to baseline level, both groups showed similar gains in acquisition, but the young group showed better retention 24 hours after practice. The young group also showed greater absolute CSE assessed during the isometric muscle contraction. Although young participants with greater absolute CSE showed better skill retention, it was the capacity to increase CSE after motor practice, and not absolute CSE, what was associated with skill retention in older participants. Older adults who have the capacity to increase CSE during motor memory consolidation show a better capacity to retain motor skills.
KW - Aging
KW - Cortico-spinal excitability
KW - Motor memory consolidation
KW - Skill learning
KW - Transcranial magnetic stimulation
U2 - 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.06.035
DO - 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.06.035
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 30053741
AN - SCOPUS:85050303343
SN - 0197-4580
VL - 70
SP - 254
EP - 264
JO - Neurobiology of Aging
JF - Neurobiology of Aging
ER -