EEG beta-modulations reflect age-specific motor resource allocation during dual-task walking

AbstractThe parallel execution of two motor tasks can lead to performance decrements in either one or both of the tasks. Age-related declines can further magnify the underlying competition for cognitive resources. However, little is known about the neural dynamics underlying motor resource allocation during dual-task walking. To better understand motor resource conflicts, this study investigated sensorimotor brain rhythms in younger and older adults using a dual-task protocol. Time-frequency data from two independent component motor clusters were extracted from electroencephalography data during sitting and walking with an additional task requiring manual responses. Button press-related desynchronization in the alpha and beta frequency range were analyzed for the impact of age (< 35 years, ≥ 70 years) and motor task (sitting, walking). Button press-related desynchronization in the beta band was more pronounced for older participants and both age groups demonstrated less pronounced desynchronizations in both frequency bands during walking compared to sitting. Older participants revealed less power modulations between sitting and walking, and less pronounced changes in beta and alpha suppression were associated with greater slowing in walking speed. Our results indicate age-specific allocations strategies during dual-task walking as well as interdependencies of concurrently performed motor tasks reflected in modulations of sensorimotor rhythms.

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The impact of predictability on dual-task performance and implications for resource-sharing accounts

Cognitive Research Principles and Implications ◽

10.1186/s41235-020-00267-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Laura Broeker ◽

Harald Ewolds ◽

Rita F. de Oliveira ◽

Stefan Künzell ◽

Markus Raab

Keyword(s):

Resource Allocation ◽

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Resource Sharing ◽

Visual Information ◽

Allocation Policy ◽

Capacity Sharing ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Sound Sequence ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the impact of predictability on dual-task performance by systematically manipulating predictability in either one of two tasks, as well as between tasks. According to capacity-sharing accounts of multitasking, assuming a general pool of resources two tasks can draw upon, predictability should reduce the need for resources and allow more resources to be used by the other task. However, it is currently not well understood what drives resource-allocation policy in dual tasks and which resource allocation policies participants pursue. We used a continuous tracking task together with an audiomotor task and manipulated advance visual information about the tracking path in the first experiment and a sound sequence in the second experiments (2a/b). Results show that performance predominantly improved in the predictable task but not in the unpredictable task, suggesting that participants did not invest more resources into the unpredictable task. One possible explanation was that the re-investment of resources into another task requires some relationship between the tasks. Therefore, in the third experiment, we covaried the two tasks by having sounds 250 ms before turning points in the tracking curve. This enabled participants to improve performance in both tasks, suggesting that resources were shared better between tasks.

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Multistable Perception in Older Adults: Constructing a Whole from Fragments

10.32920/14636409.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Khushi Patel ◽

Maureen J. Reed

Keyword(s):

Visual Processing ◽

Necker Cube ◽

Button Press ◽

Visual Stability ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Sensory Inputs ◽

Age Related ◽

Multistable Perception ◽

The Impact ◽

Young Old

Visual perception is constructive in nature; that is, a coherent whole is generated from ambiguous fragments that are encountered in dynamic visual scenes. Creating this coherent whole from fragmented sensory inputs requires one to detect, identify, distinguish and organize sensory input. The organization of fragments into a coherent whole is facilitated by the continuous interactions between lower level sensory inputs and higher order processes. However, age-related declines are found in both neural structures and cognitive processes (e.g., attention and inhibition). The impact of these declines on the constructive nature of visual processing was the focus of this study. Here we asked younger adults, young-old (65–79 years), and old-old adults (80+ years) to view a multistable figure (i.e., Necker cube) under four conditions (free, priming, volition, and adaptation) and report, via a button press, when percepts spontaneously changed. The oldest-olds, unlike young-olds and younger adults, were influenced by priming, had less visual stability during volition and showed less ability to adapt to multistable stimuli. These results suggest that the ability to construct a coherent whole from fragments declines with age. More specifically, vision is constructed differently in the old-olds, which might influence environmental interpretations and navigational abilities in this age group.

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Multistable Perception in Older Adults: Constructing a Whole from Fragments

10.32920/14636409 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Khushi Patel ◽

Maureen J. Reed

Keyword(s):

Visual Processing ◽

Necker Cube ◽

Button Press ◽

Visual Stability ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Sensory Inputs ◽

Age Related ◽

Multistable Perception ◽

The Impact ◽

Young Old

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Alteration of brain dynamics during natural dual-task walking

10.1101/2020.02.27.968164 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Federica Nenna ◽

Cao-Tri Do ◽

Janna Protzak ◽

Klaus Gramann

Keyword(s):

Dual Task ◽

Ecological Validity ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Brain Dynamics ◽

Motor Tasks ◽

Virtual Design ◽

Motor Systems ◽

Power Spectral ◽

Power Spectral Densities ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTWhile walking in our natural environment, we continuously solve additional cognitive tasks. This increases the demand of resources needed for both the cognitive and motor systems, resulting in Cognitive-Motor Interference (CMI). While it is well known that a performance decrease in one or both tasks can be observed, little is known about human brain dynamics underlying CMI during dual-task walking. Moreover, a large portion of previous investigations on CMI took place in static settings, emphasizing the experimental rigor but overshadowing the ecological validity. To address these problems, we developed a dual-task walking scenario in virtual reality (VR) combined with Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI). We aimed at investigating how brain dynamics are modulated during natural overground walking while simultaneously performing a visual discrimination task in an ecologically valid scenario. Even though the visual task did not affect performance while walking, a P3 amplitude reduction along with changes in power spectral densities (PSDs) during dual-task walking were observed. Replicating previous results, this reflects the impact of walking on the parallel processing of visual stimuli, even when the cognitive task is particularly easy. This standardized and easy to modify VR-paradigm helps to systematically study CMI, allowing researchers to control the complexity of different tasks and sensory modalities. Future investigations implementing an improved virtual design with more challenging cognitive and motor tasks will have to investigate the roles of both cognition and motion, allowing for a better understanding of the functional architecture of attention reallocation between cognitive and motor systems during active behavior.

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Computers in Medical Care: A Review

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1635328 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 23 (02) ◽

pp. 63-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hans W. Gottinger

Keyword(s):

Resource Allocation ◽

Medical Care ◽

Hospital Care ◽

The Impact

SummaryThis survey provides an overview of major developments on the impact of computers in medical and hospital care over the last 25 years. Though the review emphasizes developments in the U. S. and their multi-faceted impacts upon resource allocation and regulation, a serious attempt is made to track those impacts being universally true in multinational environments.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of The impact of cardiovascular risk factors on the age-related excess risk of coronary heart disease.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1046795.497269 ◽

2006 ◽

Author(s):

Julia Critchley

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Excess Risk ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact

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The Role of Vascular Aging in Atherosclerotic Plaque Development and Vulnerability

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612825666190830175424 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (29) ◽

pp. 3098-3111 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Luca Liberale ◽

Giovanni G. Camici

Keyword(s):

Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Plaque Burden ◽

Vascular Aging ◽

Age Related ◽

Plaque Development ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

Background: The ongoing demographical shift is leading to an unprecedented aging of the population. As a consequence, the prevalence of age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications is set to increase in the near future. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffening characterize arterial aging and set the stage for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic plaques evolve over time, the extent to which these changes might affect their stability and predispose to sudden complications remains to be determined. Recent advances in imaging technology will allow for longitudinal prospective studies following the progression of plaque burden aimed at better characterizing changes over time associated with plaque stability or rupture. Oxidative stress and inflammation, firmly established driving forces of age-related CV dysfunction, also play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and rupture. Several genes involved in lifespan determination are known regulator of redox cellular balance and pre-clinical evidence underlines their pathophysiological roles in age-related cardiovascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Objective: The aim of this narrative review is to examine the impact of aging on arterial function and atherosclerotic plaque development. Furthermore, we report how molecular mechanisms of vascular aging might regulate age-related plaque modifications and how this may help to identify novel therapeutic targets to attenuate the increased risk of CV disease in elderly people.

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The impact of vascular risk factors on the thickness and volume of the choroid in AMD patients

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94676-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elżbieta Krytkowska ◽

Aleksandra Grabowicz ◽

Katarzyna Mozolewska-Piotrowska ◽

Zofia Ulańczyk ◽

Krzysztof Safranow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Vascular Risk Factors ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Control Group ◽

Vascular Risk ◽

Average Volume ◽

Central Ring ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact ◽

Wet Amd

AbstractDisturbances in choroidal microcirculation may lead to the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We aimed to assess changes in the choroidal volume and thickness in the macular region in AMD eyes and to investigate whether coexisting vascular risk factors alter choroidal status. We enrolled 354 AMD patients (175 dry, 179 wet AMD) and 121 healthy controls. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination and assessment of choroidal thickness and volume. A multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, and smoking status revealed that wet AMD was an independent factor associated with higher average thickness of the central ring area (ATC) and average volume of the central ring area (AVC) and lower choroidal vascularity index (CVI) compared to controls (β = + 0.18, p = 0.0007, β = + 0.18, p = 0.0008, respectively) and to dry AMD (β = + 0.17, p = 0.00003 for both ATC and AVC and β = − 0.30 p < 0.0001 for CVI). ATC, AVC and average volume (AV) were lower in AMD patients with hypertension and ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The duration of hypertension was inversely correlated with ATC, AVC and AV (Rs = − 0.13, p < 0.05; Rs = − 0.12; p < 0.05, Rs = − 0.12; p < 0.05, respectively) while IHD duration negatively correlated with AV (Rs = − 0.15, p < 0.05). No such associations were observed in the control group. Our findings show that the choroidal vascular system in eyes with AMD is much more susceptible to damage in the presence than in the absence of systemic vascular disease.

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Specific modulation of corticomuscular coherence during submaximal voluntary isometric, shortening and lengthening contractions

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85851-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dorian Glories ◽

Mathias Soulhol ◽

David Amarantini ◽

Julien Duclay

Keyword(s):

H Reflex ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Emg Activity ◽

Beta Band ◽

Lengthening Contractions ◽

Time Frequency ◽

Corticomuscular Coherence ◽

Emg Signal ◽

Voluntary Contractions ◽

Spinal Excitability

AbstractDuring voluntary contractions, corticomuscular coherence (CMC) is thought to reflect a mutual interaction between cortical and muscle oscillatory activities, respectively measured by electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG). However, it remains unclear whether CMC modulation would depend on the contribution of neural mechanisms acting at the spinal level. To this purpose, modulations of CMC were compared during submaximal isometric, shortening and lengthening contractions of the soleus (SOL) and the medial gastrocnemius (MG) with a concurrent analysis of changes in spinal excitability that may be reduced during lengthening contractions. Submaximal contractions intensity was set at 50% of the maximal SOL EMG activity. CMC was computed in the time–frequency domain between the Cz EEG electrode signal and the unrectified SOL or MG EMG signal. Spinal excitability was quantified through normalized Hoffmann (H) reflex amplitude. The results indicate that beta-band CMC and normalized H-reflex were significantly lower in SOL during lengthening compared with isometric contractions, but were similar in MG for all three muscle contraction types. Collectively, these results highlight an effect of contraction type on beta-band CMC, although it may differ between agonist synergist muscles. These novel findings also provide new evidence that beta-band CMC modulation may involve spinal regulatory mechanisms.

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Impact of Cochlear Implantation on Neurocognitive Subdomains in Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000510855 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Christiane Völter ◽

Lisa Götze ◽

Imme Haubitz ◽

Janine Müther ◽

Stefan Dazert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Cochlear Implant ◽

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Homogeneous Population ◽

Delayed Recall ◽

Hearing Status ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Age-related hearing loss affects about one-third of the population worldwide. Studies suggest that hearing loss may be linked to cognitive decline and auditory rehabilitation may improve cognitive functions. So far, the data are limited, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The study aimed to analyze the impact of cochlear implantation on cognition in a large homogeneous population of hearing-impaired adults using a comprehensive non-auditory cognitive assessment with regard to normal-hearing (NH) subjects. Material and Methods: Seventy-one cochlear implant (CI) candidates with a postlingual, bilateral severe or profound hearing loss aged 66.3 years (standard deviation [SD] 9.2) and 105 NH subjects aged 65.96 years (SD 9.4) were enrolled. The computer-based neurocognitive tool applied included 11 subtests covering attention (M3), short- and long-term memory (recall and delayed recall), working memory (0- and 2-back, Operation Span [OSPAN] task), processing speed (Trail Making Test [TMT] A), mental flexibility (TMT B), inhibition (cFlanker and iFlanker), and verbal fluency. CI patients underwent a neurocognitive testing preoperatively as well as 12 months postoperatively. Impact of hearing status, age, gender, and education on cognitive subdomains was studied. Additionally, after controlling for education and age, cognitive performance of CI subjects (n = 41) was compared to that of NH (n = 34). Results: CI users achieved significantly better neurocognitive scores 12 months after cochlear implantation than before in most subtests (M3, [delayed] recall, 2-back, OSPAN, iFlanker, and verbal fluency; all p < 0.05) except for the TMT A and B. A significant correlation could be found between the postoperative improvement in speech perception and in the attentional task M3 (p = 0.01). Hearing status (p = 0.0006) had the strongest effect on attention, whereas education had a high impact on recall (p = 0.002), OSPAN (p = 0.0004), and TMT A (p = 0.005) and B (p = 0.003). Inhibition was mainly age-dependent with better results in younger subjects (p = 0.016). Verbal fluency was predicted by gender as females outperformed men (p = 0.009). Even after controlling for age and education NH subjects showed a significantly better performance than CI candidates in the recall (p = 0.03) and delayed recall (p = 0.01) tasks. Postoperatively, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups anymore. Conclusion: Impact of cochlear implantation on neurocognitive functions differs according to the cognitive subdomains. Postoperatively, CI recipients performed as good as age- and education-matched NH subjects.

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