Sensorimotor integration in healthy aging: Baseline differences and response to sensory training.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Motor Control

Background:

• Sensorimotor integration is crucial for motor output and behavior.
• Understanding aging's impact on sensorimotor integration and its modifiability is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify age-related differences in sensorimotor integration.
• To investigate if sensory training can modulate sensorimotor integration in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Assessed sensorimotor integration using nerve-based measures (short-, long-latency afferent inhibition) and vibration-based measures (abductor pollicis brevis vibration with TMS).
• Compared neurophysiology between young and older healthy adults.
• Evaluated the effect of a 15-minute sensory training session on sensorimotor integration.

Main Results:

• Aging-related differences were observed in nerve-based sensorimotor integration (short- and long-latency afferent inhibition).
• No significant age-related differences were found using vibration-based measures.
• Sensory training reduced cortical response to vibration, indicating modifiability.

Conclusions:

• Aging differentially impacts sensorimotor integration based on afferent information type.
• Sensorimotor integration is modifiable through a single sensory training session.
• The capacity for neuroplastic change in sensorimotor integration is maintained in healthy aging.