Work

Age-Related Reductions in Tactile and Motor Inhibitory Function Start Early but Are Independent

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Aging is associated with declines in motor and somatosensory function. Some of these motor declines have been linked to age-related reductions in inhibitory function. Here we examined whether tactile surround inhibition also changes with age and whether these changes are associated with those in the motor domain. We tested a group of 56 participants spanning a wide age range (18-76 years old), allowing us to examine when age differences emerge across the lifespan. Participants performed tactile and motor tasks that have previously been linked to inter- and intra-hemispheric inhibition in the somatosensory and motor systems. The results showed that aging is associated with reductions in inhibitory function in both the tactile and motor systems starting around 40 years of age; however, age effects in the two systems were not correlated. The independent effects of age on tactile and motor inhibitory function suggest that distinct mechanisms may underlie age-related reductions in inhibition in the somatosensory and motor systems.

Source: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00193

Authors: Marit F. L. Ruitenberg, Kaitlin E. Cassady, Patricia A. Reuter-Lorenz, Mark Tommerdahl, Rachael D. Seidler

Institutions: Leiden University, Ghent University, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Florida

Language: English

Topic: Tactile and Sensory Interactions

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801