Characterizing the supraspinal sensorimotor control of walking using MRI-compatible system: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics
• Gerontology

Background:

• Gait regulation is crucial for daily activities, relying on supraspinal sensorimotor control.
• Aging and related conditions impair gait by altering cortical responsiveness to sensory input, leading to reduced mobility.
• Understanding supraspinal control of walking is vital for developing new rehabilitation strategies.

Approach:

• A systematic review was conducted to assess MRI-compatible devices for studying gait.
• The review synthesized achievements in device development and neuroimaging results from 26 studies using 13 distinct devices.
• Data extraction included device design, study protocols, and neuroimaging observations.

Key Points:

• Three devices offered somatosensory stimuli, eight provided motor stimuli, and two included both.
• Functional MRI (fMRI) successfully acquired brain activation data from motionless participants receiving sensorimotor stimulation.
• Activation was observed in cortical (e.g., primary sensorimotor cortex) and subcortical (e.g., cerebellum) regions linked to walking stimuli.

Conclusions:

• These MRI-compatible devices show promise for characterizing supraspinal sensorimotor control of walking.
• Current neuroimaging evidence is limited by small sample sizes and varied protocols.
• Future studies require more rigorous designs to confirm findings and advance understanding of gait control.