WHITE MATTER INTEGRITY MODERATES THE EFFICIENCY OF PREFRONTAL CORTEX ACTIVATION PATTERNS DURING WALKING. (11th November 2018) - Holtzer, R
Abstract: Traditional neuroimaging methods cannot measure changes in brain function during active walking. This presentation will provide a brief overview of recent research findings using functional-near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to demonstrate the key functional role of the prefrontal cortex in cortical control of locomotion, notably under attention demanding walking conditions. Over activation of the prefrontal cortex during walking, however, maybe indicative of brain inefficiency that could predispose older adults to poor resilience to mobility decline. In this talk, a multi-modal imaging (DTI and fNIRS) study implemented in a cohort of 55 non-demented older adults, will be used to propose white matter integrity as moderator of (in)efficient prefrontal cortex activation levels, assessed with fNIRS during single and dual-task walking conditions. Understanding complex interactions of structural and functional brain systems vis-à-vis gait performance can inform conceptualizations of resilience to mobility decline