Brain Plasticity and Motor Practice in Cognitive Aging

Overview

Journal Front Aging Neurosci

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2014 Mar 22

PMID 24653695

Citations 39

Authors

Liuyang Cai

John S Y Chan

Jin H Yan

Kaiping Peng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

For more than two decades, there have been extensive studies of experience-based neural plasticity exploring effective applications of brain plasticity for cognitive and motor development. Research suggests that human brains continuously undergo structural reorganization and functional changes in response to stimulations or training. From a developmental point of view, the assumption of lifespan brain plasticity has been extended to older adults in terms of the benefits of cognitive training and physical therapy. To summarize recent developments, first, we introduce the concept of neural plasticity from a developmental perspective. Secondly, we note that motor learning often refers to deliberate practice and the resulting performance enhancement and adaptability. We discuss the close interplay between neural plasticity, motor learning and cognitive aging. Thirdly, we review research on motor skill acquisition in older adults with, and without, impairments relative to aging-related cognitive decline. Finally, to enhance future research and application, we highlight the implications of neural plasticity in skills learning and cognitive rehabilitation for the aging population.

Citing Articles

Real-time auditory feedback for improving gait and walking in people with Parkinson's disease: a pilot and feasibility trial.

Mayo N, Mate K, Fellows L, Morais J, Sharp M, Lafontaine A Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2024; 10(1):115.

PMID: 39192343 PMC: 11348556. DOI: 10.1186/s40814-024-01542-z.

What Do Older Canadians Think They Need to Walk Well?.

Abou-Sharkh A, Mate K, Inceer M, Morais J, Morin S, Mayo N Physiother Can. 2023; 75(2):198-205.

PMID: 37736376 PMC: 10510555. DOI: 10.3138/ptc-2021-0021.

Motor cortical functional connectivity changes due to short-term immobilization of upper limb: an fNIRS case report.

Karumattu Manattu A, Borrell J, Copeland C, Fraser K, Zuniga J Front Rehabil Sci. 2023; 4:1156940.

PMID: 37266515 PMC: 10229777. DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1156940.

Efficacy of alone or in multi-strain probiotic formulations during early life and beyond.

Mills S, Yang B, Smith G, Stanton C, Ross R Gut Microbes. 2023; 15(1):2186098.

PMID: 36896934 PMC: 10012958. DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2186098.

Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children's Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?.

Merce C, Cordovil R, Catela D, Galdino F, Bernardino M, Altenburg M Children (Basel). 2022; 9(12).

PMID: 36553380 PMC: 9776492. DOI: 10.3390/children9121937.

References

Smith C, Walton A, Loveland A, Umberger G, Kryscio R, Gash D . Memories that last in old age: motor skill learning and memory preservation. Neurobiol Aging. 2005; 26(6):883-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2004.08.014. View

Cohen D, Pascual-Leone A, Press D, Robertson E . Off-line learning of motor skill memory: a double dissociation of goal and movement. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005; 102(50):18237-41. PMC: 1312380. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0506072102. View

Erickson K, Colcombe S, Elavsky S, McAuley E, Korol D, Scalf P . Interactive effects of fitness and hormone treatment on brain health in postmenopausal women. Neurobiol Aging. 2006; 28(2):179-85. DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.11.016. View

Rickard T, Cai D, Rieth C, Jones J, Ard M . Sleep does not enhance motor sequence learning. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 2008; 34(4):834-42. DOI: 10.1037/0278-7393.34.4.834. View

Farmer J, Zhao X, van Praag H, Wodtke K, Gage F, Christie B . Effects of voluntary exercise on synaptic plasticity and gene expression in the dentate gyrus of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo. Neuroscience. 2004; 124(1):71-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2003.09.029. View

Mahncke H, Connor B, Appelman J, Ahsanuddin O, Hardy J, Wood R . Memory enhancement in healthy older adults using a brain plasticity-based training program: a randomized, controlled study. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006; 103(33):12523-8. PMC: 1526649. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0605194103. View

Yan J, Thomas J, Stelmach G, Thomas K . Developmental features of rapid aiming arm movements across the lifespan. J Mot Behav. 2000; 32(2):121-40. DOI: 10.1080/00222890009601365. View

Walker M . The role of sleep in cognition and emotion. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009; 1156:168-97. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04416.x. View

Yan J . Tai chi practice reduces movement force variability for seniors. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000; 54(12):M629-34. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/54.12.m629. View

10.

Weuve J, Kang J, Manson J, Breteler M, Ware J, Grodstein F . Physical activity, including walking, and cognitive function in older women. JAMA. 2004; 292(12):1454-61. DOI: 10.1001/jama.292.12.1454. View

11.

Korol D, Gold P, Scavuzzo C . Use it and boost it with physical and mental activity. Hippocampus. 2013; 23(11):1125-35. PMC: 8734651. DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22197. View

12.

Willingham D . A neuropsychological theory of motor skill learning. Psychol Rev. 1998; 105(3):558-84. DOI: 10.1037/0033-295x.105.3.558. View

13.

Hill N, Kolanowski A, Gill D . Plasticity in Early Alzheimer's Disease: An Opportunity for Intervention. Top Geriatr Rehabil. 2012; 27(4):257-267. PMC: 3419487. DOI: 10.1097/tgr.0b013e31821e588e. View

14.

Belleville S, Clement F, Mellah S, Gilbert B, Fontaine F, Gauthier S . Training-related brain plasticity in subjects at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Brain. 2011; 134(Pt 6):1623-34. DOI: 10.1093/brain/awr037. View

15.

Yaffe K, Barnes D, Nevitt M, Lui L, Covinsky K . A prospective study of physical activity and cognitive decline in elderly women: women who walk. Arch Intern Med. 2001; 161(14):1703-8. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.161.14.1703. View

16.

Ren J, Wu Y, Chan J, Yan J . Cognitive aging affects motor performance and learning. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2012; 13(1):19-27. DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2012.00914.x. View

17.

Briones T, Klintsova A, Greenough W . Stability of synaptic plasticity in the adult rat visual cortex induced by complex environment exposure. Brain Res. 2004; 1018(1):130-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2004.06.001. View

18.

Brown R, Robertson E, Press D . Sequence skill acquisition and off-line learning in normal aging. PLoS One. 2009; 4(8):e6683. PMC: 2723909. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006683. View

19.

DeFelipe J . Brain plasticity and mental processes: Cajal again. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2006; 7(10):811-7. DOI: 10.1038/nrn2005. View

20.

Colcombe S, Erickson K, Raz N, Webb A, Cohen N, McAuley E . Aerobic fitness reduces brain tissue loss in aging humans. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003; 58(2):176-80. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/58.2.m176. View