Optimal Trajectories of Brain State Transitions Indicate Motor Function Changes Associated with Aging

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Aging Research
• Network Science

Background:

• Healthy aging involves sensorimotor system changes, impacting motor function.
• Previous studies primarily described age-related alterations, with limited understanding of structural network roles in functional dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how structural brain networks facilitate functional dynamics during aging.
• To evaluate the control energy required for brain state transitions in aging using network control theory.

Main Methods:

• Utilized diffusion-weighted imaging to construct structural brain networks.
• Applied network control theory to assess control energy for default mode network (DMN) to motor network transitions.
• Analyzed a large cohort (n=625) aged 18-88 years.

Main Results:

• Overall control energy for motor network activation decreased with aging.
• Motor network nodes showed mixed age effects, indicating aberrant functional integration.
• Subcortical network control energy significantly increased with age, suggesting altered motor-subcortical circuits.
• The bilateral putamen exhibited the most substantial positive age effect on control energy.

Conclusions:

• Aging impacts the energy cost of motor task control, correlating with functional decline.
• Altered motor-subcortical circuits and putamen activity are key in age-related motor modulation.
• Findings offer insights into brain optimal control and neuromodulation strategies for older adults.