Effect of Aging on Cortical Excitability and Motor Learning

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Aging
• Interventions: Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise; Behavioral: Stretching and Balance Training

• Registration Number: NCT03750903
• Lead Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Brief Summary

The objective of the current proposal is to identify 1) how aging-related changes in GABAergic cortical inhibition affect motor performance, and 2) how aerobic exercise may improve inhibitory function and facilitate motor learning.

Detailed Description

The current proposal seeks quantify neural inhibition using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in older Veterans to identify how each measures contributes to aging-related changes in motor performance. Currently, over 56% (11.8 million) of Veterans are over age 60. Recent research has shown that aging is associated with decreased cortical inhibition and impaired hand motor function. However, this loss of inhibition is not an inescapable consequence of aging. The investigators' previous work that healthy older adults who engage in regular physical activity show increased cortical inhibition and improved dexterity as compared to their sedentary age cohort. This indicates that aerobic training may reverse aging related changes in cortical inhibition and alteration of tonic levels of cortical excitability can have a powerful impact on motor performance in the aging brain. In the current proposal, the investigators will enroll older adults to assess how different measurements (TMS and MRS) of the dominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain - GABA differ in relation to motor control. During the MRS scan, participants will perform a motor learning task to assess change in GABA level throughout the acquisition session. These data will be compared with measures of cortical inhibition using TMS to quantify neurotransmitter receptor activity with respect to aging-related changes in motor performance. The investigators will also be comparing the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention as compared to a contact matched stretching control. The investigators believe this project is the first inquiry of its kind and will have an important impact in the understanding of aging-related neurophysiological changes in the brain and how it can remediate associated behavioral declines.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-11-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-11-20
• Study First Posted: 2018-11-23
• Study Start: 2019-03-04
• Primary Completion: 2023-09-30
• Study Completion: 2024-09-30
• Results First Submitted: 2024-12-03
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Results First Submitted QC: 2025-04-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-01
• Results First Posted: 2025-04-03
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• living persons aged 50-85

Exclusion Criteria

• unmanaged diabetes
• participants completing vigorous exercise per week
• participants whose profession requires vigorous physical labor
• contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Aerobic Exercise	Aerobic Exercise	Participants will engage in an aerobic exercise program meeting thrice weekly for a period of 12 weeks.
Stretching and Balance Training	Stretching and Balance Training	Participants will engage in a balance and stretching comparator condition meeting thrice weekly for 12 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy	Baseline and12 weeks	Measuring changes in dynamic magnetic resonance spectroscopy of primary motor cortex during motor learning.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA; 🇺🇸 Decatur, Washington, United States