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
-
Trafficking and Signaling of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in the Nervous System: Implications for Disease and Therapy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Fluorine-18 Labeled Amino Acids for Oncologic Imaging with Positron Emission Tomography
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry GDNF Family Ligands: A Potential Future for Parkinson's Disease Therapy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Peptides and their Metal Complexes in Neurodegenerative Diseases: from Structural Studies to Nanomedicine Prospects
Current Medicinal Chemistry Molecular Mechanisms of Pancreatic Cancer Dissemination: The Role of the Chemokine System
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Many Neuroprogressive Actions of Tryptophan Catabolites (TRYCATs) that may be Associated with the Pathophysiology of Neuro-Immune Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Differentiating the Dementias. Revisiting Synucleinopathies and Tauopathies
Current Alzheimer Research Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Diabetes Mellitus: Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption, Pathophysiology and Cognitive Impairments
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Chronic HIV-1 Tat and HIV Reduce Rbfox3/NeuN: Evidence for Sex- Related Effects
Current HIV Research Benzopentathiepine Derivative, 8-(Trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,4,5-Benzopentathiepin- 6-Amine Hydrochloride (TC-2153), as a Promising Antidepressant of New Generation
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery New Pharmacological Approaches in Infants with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Molecular and Pharmacological Mechanisms of HIV-Related Neuropathic Pain
Current Neuropharmacology ADAM19/Adamalysin 19 Structure, Function, and Role as a Putative Target in Tumors and Inflammatory Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Functional Cross-Talk between Adenosine and Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Current Neuropharmacology Serotonergic 5-HT2C Receptors as a Potential Therapeutic Target for the Design Antiepileptic Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Potential Therapeutic Interest of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Psychiatric Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Emerging Role of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Stress-Related Disorders
Current Neuropharmacology Development of Neurotrophic Molecules for Treatment of Neurode-generation
Current Protein & Peptide Science Allosteric Modulation of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: The Concept and Therapeutic Trends
Current Pharmaceutical Design Current Role and Future Perspectives of Radioiodinated MIBG in the Evaluation of Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Current Radiopharmaceuticals