Abstract
Aging is associated with dramatic reductions in muscle strength and motor control, and many of these agerelated changes in muscle function result from adaptations in the central nervous system. Aging is associated with widespread qualitative and quantitative changes of the motor cortex. For example, advancing age has been suggested to result in cortical atrophy, reduced cortical excitability, reduced cortical plasticity, as well as neurochemical abnormalities.The associated functional effects of these changes likely influence numerous aspects of muscle performance such as muscle strength and motor control. For example, there is evidence to suggest that the muscle weakness associated with aging is partially due to impairments in the nervous systems ability to fully activate motor neurons- particularly in the larger proximal muscle groups. In this review article we discuss age-related changes in the motor cortex, as well as the abilityor lack thereof- of older adults to voluntarily activate skeletal muscle. We also provide perspectives on scientific and clinical questions that need to be addressed in the near future.
Keywords: aging, dynapenia, sarcopenia, muscle, motor cortex, strength, weakness, motor control, atrophy, elderly
Current Aging Science
Title: Age-Related Changes in Motor Cortical Properties and Voluntary Activation of Skeletal Muscle
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): Brian C. Clark and Janet L. Taylor
Affiliation:
Keywords: aging, dynapenia, sarcopenia, muscle, motor cortex, strength, weakness, motor control, atrophy, elderly
Abstract: Aging is associated with dramatic reductions in muscle strength and motor control, and many of these agerelated changes in muscle function result from adaptations in the central nervous system. Aging is associated with widespread qualitative and quantitative changes of the motor cortex. For example, advancing age has been suggested to result in cortical atrophy, reduced cortical excitability, reduced cortical plasticity, as well as neurochemical abnormalities.The associated functional effects of these changes likely influence numerous aspects of muscle performance such as muscle strength and motor control. For example, there is evidence to suggest that the muscle weakness associated with aging is partially due to impairments in the nervous systems ability to fully activate motor neurons- particularly in the larger proximal muscle groups. In this review article we discuss age-related changes in the motor cortex, as well as the abilityor lack thereof- of older adults to voluntarily activate skeletal muscle. We also provide perspectives on scientific and clinical questions that need to be addressed in the near future.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
C. Clark Brian and L. Taylor Janet, Age-Related Changes in Motor Cortical Properties and Voluntary Activation of Skeletal Muscle, Current Aging Science 2011; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874609811104030192
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874609811104030192 |
Print ISSN 1874-6098 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1874-6128 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
GPR55 and its Interaction with Membrane Lipids: Comparison with Other Endocannabinoid-Binding Receptors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Advances in Neuroimaging for HIV-1 Associated Neurological Dysfunction: Clues to the Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Monitoring
Current HIV Research Mechanisms of Neuronal Injury and Death in HIV-1 Associated Dementia
Current HIV Research Role for GABA and Glu Plasma Membrane Transporters in the Interplay of Inhibitory and Excitatory Neurotransmission
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Oxidative Stress: Major Threat in Traumatic Brain Injury
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Development of PET Probes for Cancer Imaging
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Parkinsons Disease: Genetics and Beyond
Current Neuropharmacology “Speed” Warps Time: Methamphetamines Interactive Roles in Drug Abuse, Habit Formation, and the Biological Clocks of Circadian and Interval Timing
Current Drug Abuse Reviews The Neuropeptide Galanin Benefits Insulin Sensitivity in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes
Current Protein & Peptide Science Pathological Gambling: Neuropsychopharmacology and Treatment
Current Psychopharmacology TRP Channels and Pain
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mechanisms of Action of Antipsychotic Drugs of Different Classes, Refractoriness to Therapeutic Effects of Classical Neuroleptics, and Individual Variation in Sensitivity to their Actions: PART II
Current Neuropharmacology Melatonin Metabolism in the Central Nervous System
Current Neuropharmacology [General Articles] Cannabinoids: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications in the CNS
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Role of the Nervous System in the Regulation of Liver Cytochrome P450
Current Drug Metabolism Disorders of Consciousness and Electrophysiological Treatment Strategies: A Review of the Literature and New Perspectives
Current Pharmaceutical Design Amyloid PET and MRI in Alzheimers Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Impact of a Clinical Decision Support Tool on Dementia Diagnostics in Memory Clinics: The PredictND Validation Study
Current Alzheimer Research Neurotensin NTS1-Dopamine D2 Receptor-Receptor Interactions in Putative Receptor Heteromers: Relevance for Parkinson`s Disease and Schizophrenia
Current Protein & Peptide Science Prosodic Impairment in Dementia: Review of the Literature
Current Alzheimer Research