Neural changes and plasticity of the human motor system after 65 years of age

65岁后人体运动系统的神经变化和可塑性

• 批准号: 7135-2009
• 负责人: Bawa, Parveen
• 金额: $ 1.46万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2010-01-01 至 2011-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=450077
• 关键词: Neural; changes; plasticity; human; motor

Healthy ageing is correlated with experience and wisdom. At the same time, there is a decline in optimal functioning of various systems of the body. After the age of 55 years, the cells in the spinal cord, which control our muscles, slowly start to die, and consequently, muscles become smaller. However, exercise at any age can slow down the decline in our muscular strength. In addition to physical changes, the areas of the brain that control movement also change their activity patterns. The proposed project seeks to examine some of those changes. A few of the experiments are designed to investigate how reflexes and reaction times in older adults differ from those of younger adults. Other experiments are designed to see if the older nervous system is still plastic and capable of improved function. For example, how much control do older adults have in changing their reflexes and reactions times compared to younger adults? Can older adults learn to enhance their reflexes and reaction times as much as younger adults can? Recent reports in the literature have shown the young adult brain to be very plastic, meaning that practice of a particular movement can quickly reorganize the brain connections. We will address whether this is also the case in older adults. Training the motor system improves balance, cardio-respiratory systems, gastrointestinal function, blood flow to the brain - the general functioning of our bodies. Although it is true that playing chess or doing crossword puzzles can improve our mental abilities, improving mental abilities alone will not keep the elderly population physically independent. However, learning new motor skills, which are optimized for age, will benefit the brain, as well as the physique.

健康的老龄化与经验和智慧相关。 与此同时，身体各系统的最佳功能下降。 55岁以后，控制我们肌肉的脊髓细胞开始慢慢死亡，因此，肌肉变得更小。 然而，任何年龄的运动都可以减缓我们肌肉力量的下降。 除了身体的变化，大脑中控制运动的区域也会改变它们的活动模式。 拟议的项目旨在审查其中一些变化。 一些实验旨在研究老年人的反射和反应时间与年轻人的不同。 其他实验旨在观察老年人的神经系统是否仍然具有可塑性并能够改善功能。 例如，与年轻人相比，老年人在改变他们的反射和反应时间方面有多大的控制力？ 老年人能像年轻人一样学会提高他们的反应能力和反应时间吗？ 最近的文献报告表明，年轻人的大脑非常具有可塑性，这意味着练习特定的运动可以快速重组大脑连接。 我们将讨论老年人是否也存在这种情况。 训练运动系统改善平衡，心肺系统，胃肠道功能，血液流向大脑-我们的身体的一般功能。 虽然下棋或填字游戏确实可以提高我们的智力，但仅靠提高智力并不能使老年人保持身体独立。 然而，学习新的运动技能，这是优化的年龄，将有利于大脑，以及体质。