Table 3.
Studies that have demonstrated significant relationships between motor performance and functional brain activation. DOM = Dominant side, NON = Non-dominant side, ISO = Isodirectional, NON-ISO = Non-isodirectional, BA = Brodmann's area, OA = Older adults, YA = Young adults.
| Study | Motor Task | Cue | Movement Frequency | Brain regions associated with motor task performance in older adults |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harada et al., (2009) | Treadmill walking | None | 30, 50, & 70% walking intensity (Karvonen method) |
Positive correlation with cadence & velocity (i.e. compensatory activation): Medial Supplementary Motor Area Medial Sensorimotor Cortex |
| Heuninckx et al., (2008) | ISO & NON-ISO simultaneous movement of DOM hand and foot | Visual | YA: 1.0 & 1.5 Hz OA: 1 Hz |
Positive correlation with motor task performance (i.e. compensatory activation): OA & YA Groups Combined Left Primary Motor Cortex (M1 Hand Area) - ISO Right Cerebellum Hemisphere (V) - ISO Left Primary Sensory Cortex (S1 Hand Area) - ISO & NON-ISO Right Supplementary Motor Area – NON-ISO Left Inferior Postcentral Gyrus – NON-ISO Left Cingulate Cortex (Cingulate Motor Area) – NON-ISO OA Group Left Middle Frontal Gyrus (DLPFC) – NON-ISO Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus (pars opercularis) – NON-ISO Left Anterior Insula – NON-ISO Left Superior Frontal Sulcus (pre-PMd) – NON-ISO Left Superior Temporal Gyrus – NON-ISO Left Superior Parietal Gyrus – NON-ISO Left Cerebellar Hemisphere (V) – NON-ISO Right Cerebellar Hemisphere (VIIIB) – NON-ISO |
| Mattay et al., (2002) | Spatially cued finger response 2nd-5th finger of DOM hand |
Visual | 0.6 Hz |
Negative correlation with reaction time (i.e. compensatory activation): Bilateral Primary Motor Cortex (BA 4) Bilateral Lateral Premotor Area (BA 6) Medial Supplementary Motor Area (BA 6) Left Inferior Parietal Cortex (BA 40, Supramarginal gyrus) Left Occipital Cortex (BA 19, V3 Associative Visual Cortex) Right Cerebellum Hemisphere (V) |
| Rieker et al., (2006) | Index finger tapping of DOM hand | Auditory | 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Hz | None - Overactivation in older adults was not incrementally increased with task difficulty (i.e. overactivation did not appear to serve a compensatory function) |
| Ward et al., (2008) | Isometric hand-grip with DOM & NON | Visual | 15, 30 & 45% Maximal Voluntary Contraction |
Decrease with advancing age in the parameter estimate representing linear changes in BOLD signal with grip force (i.e. no increasing activation with increasing force output): Left Primary Sensory Cortex – Right hand grip Left Primary Motor Cortex –Right hand grip Left Premotor Cortex (PMd) – Right hand grip Superior Cingulate Sulcus –Right hand grip Right Primary Motor Cortex – Left hand grip Left Superior Cingulate Sulcus – Left hand grip |