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
-
FDG-PET/CT for Systemic Infections
Current Molecular Imaging (Discontinued) Post-stroke Depression Therapy: Where are we now?
Current Neurovascular Research Synthesis and Evaluation of [11C]SB207145 as the First In Vivo Serotonin 5-HT4 Receptor Radioligand for PET Imaging in Man
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Editorial [Hot Topic: Regulation of Brain Functions by Adenosine A2A Receptors:Implication for Therapeutics (Executive Editor: Patrizia Popoli) ]
Current Pharmaceutical Design An Overview of the Pharmacogenetics and Molecular Genetics of ADHD
Current Pharmacogenomics Genomic and Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Drug Metabolism Chronic Pain: Cytokines, Lymphocytes and Chemokines
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Nicotine, Body Weight and Potential Implications in the Treatment of Obesity
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Amyloid PET and MRI in Alzheimers Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Metabolic and Functional Brain Mapping, Connectivity and Plasticity Applied to the Surgery of Cerebral Tumors
Current Medical Imaging Early-phase 18F-AV-45 PET Imaging can Detect Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis Following Carotid Artery Stenosis and Cerebral Hypoperfusion
Current Neurovascular Research Discovery of Natural Product-Derived 5-HT1A Receptor Binders by Cheminfomatics Modeling of Known Binders, High Throughput Screening and Experimental Validation
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Runx2/Cbfa1: A Multifunctional Regulator of Bone Formation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Possible Role of BDNF-Induced Microglial Intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> Elevation in the Pathophysiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Current Therapeutic Strategies and Perspectives for Neuroprotection in Parkinson’s Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cyclooxygenases in the Central Nervous System: Implications for Treatment of Neurological Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Curcumin, Resveratrol and Cannabidiol as Natural Key Prototypes in Drug Design for Neuroprotective Agents
Current Neuropharmacology Reward-Seeking Behavior and Addiction: Cause or Cog?
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Neurological Soft Signs in Patients with Psychosis and Cannabis Abuse: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Paradox
Current Pharmaceutical Design Hunting for Peptide Substrates of Prolyl Oligopeptidase: Classical Versus Non-Classical Bioactive Peptides
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets