Age-related differences in EEG beta activity during an assessment of ankle proprioception

Author(s)

Toledo, Diana R. ^{[1, 2]} ; Barela, Jose A. ^{[3, 4]} ; Manzano, Gilberto M. ^[5] ; Kohn, Andre F. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, EPUSP, PTC, Biomed Engn Lab, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, EPUSP, PTC, Neurosci Program, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Cruzeiro Sul, Inst Phys Act & Sport Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Rio Claro - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Div Neurol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neuroscience Letters; v. 622, p. 1-5, MAY 27 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

The aim of this work was to compare cortical beta oscillatory activity between young (YA) and older (OA) adults during the assessment of ankle proprioception. We analyzed the response time (RT) to kinesthetic perception and beta event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS) in response to passive ankle movement applied at a slow speed, 0.5 degrees/s. The relationship between ERD/ERS and RT was investigated by classifying the signals into fast-, medium-, and slow-RT. The results showed a temporal relationship between beta oscillation changes and RT for both groups, i.e., earlier ERD and ERS were obtained for trials with faster response time. ERD was larger and delayed in OA compared to the YA, and beta ERS was present only for OA. These findings suggest that a less efficient proprioceptive signaling reaching the brain of OA requires a higher level of brain processing and hence the differences in ERD potentials between YA and OA. Furthermore, the occurrence of ERS in OA might represent a compensatory strategy of active cortical resetting for adequate sensorimotor behavior due to the age-related reduced peripheral input and neuromuscular impairments. Altered balance between excitatory and inhibitory intracortical activity in older adults presumably explains the changes in beta oscillations. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/09286-9 - Contribution of the central nervous system to the response to kinesthetic perception in elderly and its relationship to postural control
• Grantee: Diana Rezende de Toledo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/11300-8 - Dynamic ankle force-matching training associated with subsensory electrical stimulation: cortical and spinal adaptations and effects on postural control
• Grantee: Diana Rezende de Toledo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 11/17193-0 - Behavioral, brain and reflex responses to mechanical and electrical stimuli to study proprioception and the spinal cord in humans
• Grantee: André Fábio Kohn
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/14667-7 - The influence of task type and intensity of muscle contraction in corticomuscular coherence in the control of ankle joint
• Grantee: Diana Rezende de Toledo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral