Effects of healthy ageing on activation pattern within the brain during movement and motor imagery: an fMRI study

Introduction Motor imagery (MI) has potential as an intervention to improve performance in neurological disease affecting the motor system and to modulate brain computer interfaces (BCI). We hypothesized that the shared networks of MI and executed movement (EM) would be affected by age. Understanding these changes is important in application of MI in neurological disorders. Methods Using tensor-independent component analysis (TICA), we mapped the neural networks involved during MI and EM in 31 healthy volunteers (ages 20-72), who were recruited and screened for their ability to perform imagery. We used an fMRI block-design with MI & rest and EM & rest. Results TICA defined 37 independent components (ICs). Eight remained after excluding ICs representing artifacts. These ICs accounted for 35% of variance. While all ICs had greater activation in EM than MI. Two ICs increased with greater age for EM only. These ICs contained a bilateral network of brain areas, including primary motor cortex and cerebellum. Conclusion This study demonstrates the prominence of shared cerebral networks between MI and EM. There are age-dependent changes to EM activation, while MI activation appeared age independent. This strengthens the rationale for using MI to access the motor networks independent of age.