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

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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.