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
-
Pharmacotherapy for Smoking Cessation: Present and Future
Current Pharmaceutical Design GSK-3 Inhibitors: A New Class of Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
Current Drug Targets Sulfur Dioxide: a Novel Gaseous Signal in the Regulation of Cardiovascular Functions
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Methylphenidate on Cognitive Improvement in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-Analysis
Current Neuropharmacology Volumetric Changes in the Basal Ganglia After Antipsychotic Monotherapy: A Systematic Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry Current Status of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Management of Parkinson’s Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets A Review of Biomarkers in Mood and Psychotic Disorders: A Dissection of Clinical vs. Preclinical Correlates
Current Neuropharmacology The Endocannabinoid System and Schizophrenia: Integration of Evidence
Current Pharmaceutical Design Utilizing Delta Opioid Receptors and Peptides for Cytoprotection: Implications in Stroke and Other Neurological Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets C-peptide and Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Preface
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Classical Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides Involved in Parkinson's Disease: Focus on Anti-Parkinsonian Drugs
Current Drug Therapy Neural Progenitors and HIV-1- Associated Central Nervous System Disease in Adults and Children
Current HIV Research Modulation of Microglial Innate Immunity in Alzheimers Disease by Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma
Current Medicinal Chemistry Caffeine as a Lead Compound for the Design of Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Endocannabinoid Signaling System: A Potential Target for Next- Generation Therapeutics for Alcoholism
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry From Nature to Drug Discovery: The Indole Scaffold as a ‘Privileged Structure’
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Catatonia: A Narrative Review
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Neural Differentiation and Therapeutic Potential of Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cells
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy