Effects of aging on action-intentional programming |
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| Authors: | Ali R. Shoraka Dana M. Otzel Eduardo M. Zilli Glen R. Finney Leilani Doty Adam D. Falchook |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center of the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA;2. Department of Neurology and Center for Neuropsychological Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA;3. Department of Neurology and Center for Neuropsychological Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA;4. Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative, University of Florida Cognitive and Memory Disorder Clinics, Gainesville, FL, USA;5. National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Aging, 1Florida ADRC (Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center), Gainesville, FL, USA;6. Brain Rehabilitation Research Center of the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA |
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| Abstract: | Background: Action-intentional programs control “when” we initiate, inhibit, continue, and stop motor actions. The purpose of this study was to learn if there are changes in the action-intentional system with healthy aging, and if these changes are asymmetrical (right versus left upper limb) or related to impaired interhemispheric communication. Methods: We administered tests of action-intention to 41 middle-aged and older adults (61.9 ± 12.3 years). Results: Regression analyses revealed that older age predicted a decrement in performance for tests of crossed motor response inhibition as well as slower motor initiation with the left hand. Conclusion: Changes in action-intention with aging appear to be related to alterations of interhemispheric communication and/or age-related right hemisphere dysfunction; however, further research is needed to identify the mechanisms for age-related changes in the brain networks that mediate action-intention. |
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| Keywords: | Cognitive aging brain aging motor control interhemispheric disconnection action-intention |
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