Compromised prefrontal structure and function are associated with slower walking in older adults

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Reduced executive network activation correlates with slower walking speed in older adults.
• The impact of white matter integrity on executive network function and walking speed remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between white matter integrity, executive network activation, and walking speed in older adults.
• To identify specific white matter tracts associated with executive function and gait performance.

Main Methods:

• Diffusion-weighted imaging and functional MRI (fMRI) were employed.
• Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyzed white matter microstructural integrity.
• Multiple regression models assessed associations between white matter integrity, n-back task performance, and executive network activation.

Main Results:

• White matter integrity in the anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus was associated with walking speed.
• These white matter regions also correlated with n-back task response speed and executive network activation.
• Fractional anisotropy (FA) in these tracts predicted executive network function and gait speed.

Conclusions:

• Subtle white matter damage in frontal regions may impair executive network activation.
• This impairment in executive function is linked to slower walking speeds in older adults.
• White matter integrity is a crucial factor connecting brain function and mobility in aging.