1
|
Bishnoi A, Hu Y, Hernandez ME. Perturbation walking effects on prefrontal cortical activation and walking performance in older women with and without osteoarthritis: a FNIRS study. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1403185. [PMID: 39239356 PMCID: PMC11374618 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1403185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Perturbation walking (PW) has been shown to improve gait, however its effect on the cortical control of gait might provide insights on neural mechanisms underlying falls in adults with osteoarthritis. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of PW on prefrontal cortical (PFC) activation in older women with (OA) and without osteoarthritis (HOA). We hypothesized that there would be an increase in PFC activation during PW relative to comfortable walking (CW) and higher increase in PFC activation during PW in HOA compared to OA. Methods Twenty community-dwelling older women (66.7 ± 5.41 years old) walked on an instrumented treadmill that provided perturbations at pseudo-random intervals between 5-25 s using a counterbalanced design. Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy was used to quantify PFC oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) levels, while standing prior to the task as a baseline. A linear mixed effects model was conducted to investigate the effects of cohort (HOA vs OA), task (PW vs CW), and their interaction on HbO2 (μM) and Hb (μM) levels. Results HbO2 and Hb levels differed significantly between CW and PW tasks for both cohorts (P < 0.001) and demonstrated significant task by cohort interaction (P < 0.05). In addition, we found changes in walking performance (stride time, stride length, stride width and stance time) during and after PW. Spearman correlation demonstrated a strong association between increased stance time, increased body mass index and decreased PFC activation during PW. No other significant results were found. Discussion This study found increase in PFC activation during PW and gait adaptation after a short bout of PW in HOA and OA. This increase in PFC activation was higher in HOA compared to OA, particularly during PW tasks, and was consistent with theory of limitations in mobility affecting neural activation in older adults. Further work remains to examine how pain, obesity, and mobility impacts cortical control in older adults with and without osteoarthritis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alka Bishnoi
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions and Human Services, Kean University, Union, NJ, United States
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Kinesiology, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States
| | - Manuel E Hernandez
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hagedoorn L, Ruiz Rodríguez A, van Asseldonk E, Weerdesteyn V. Action observation with motor simulation improves reactive stepping responses following strong backward balance perturbations in healthy young individuals. Gait Posture 2024; 109:126-132. [PMID: 38306781 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Adequate reactive steps are critical for preventing falls following balance perturbations. Perturbation-based balance training was shown to improve reactive stepping in various clinical populations, but its delivery is labor-intensive and generally uses expensive equipment. Action observation of reactive steps with either motor imagery (AOMI) or motor simulation (AOMS) are potential alternative training modalities. We here aimed to study their effects on reactive stepping performance. METHODS Sixty healthy young subjects were subjected to forward platform translations that elicited backward reactive steps. The AOMI group (n = 20) was tested after AOMI of an actor's reactive steps, while the AOMS group (n = 20) additionally stepped along with the actor. The control group (n = 20) was tested without any prior observation. Our primary outcome was the step quality of the first trial response, as this best represents a real-life loss-of-balance. Step quality was quantified as the leg angle with respect to the vertical at stepping-foot contact. We also studied single step success rates and reactive step quality across repeated trials. RESULTS Reactive step quality was significantly better in the AOMI and AOMS groups than in the control group, which differences coincided with a twofold higher single step success rate. Reactive step quality improved upon repeated trials in all groups, yet the AOMS group needed the fewest repetitions to reach plateau performance. SIGNIFICANCE The present results demonstrate that both AOMI and AOMS improved first and repeated trial reactive stepping performance. These findings point at the potential applicability of these concepts for home-based reactive balance training, for instance in serious games, with overt movements (AOMS) possibly having some benefits over mental imaginations (AOMI). Whether similar beneficial effects also emerge in the target populations of balance-impaired individuals remains to be investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Hagedoorn
- Radboud university medical center; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Edwin van Asseldonk
- University of Twente, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Vivian Weerdesteyn
- Radboud university medical center; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Sint Maartenskliniek Research, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yuan X, Zhong X, Wang C, Dai Y, Yang Y, Jiang C. Temporo-Parietal cortex activation during motor imagery in older adults: A case study of Baduanjin. Brain Cogn 2023; 173:106103. [PMID: 37922628 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2023.106103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Age-associated cognitive and motor decline is related to central nervous system injury in older adults. Motor imagery training (MIT), as an emerging rehabilitative intervention, can activate neural basis similar to that in actual exercise, so as to promote motor function in older adults. The complex motor skills rely on the functional integration of the cerebral cortex. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying motor imagery in older adults would support its application in motor rehabilitation and slowing cognitive decline. Based on this, the present study used functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to record the changes in oxygen saturation in older adults (20 participants; mean age, 64.8 ± 4.5 years) during Baduanjin motor execution (ME) and motor imagery (MI). ME significantly activated the left postcentral gyrus, while the oxy-hemoglobin concentration in the right middle temporal gyrus increased significantly during motor imagery. These results indicate that advanced ME activates brain regions related to sensorimotor function, and MI increases the activation of the frontal-parietal cortex related to vision. In older adults, MI overactivated the temporo-parietal region associated with vision, and tend to be activated in the right brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Technical Analysis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China; The Center of Neuroscience and Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China; School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B25 2TT, UK.
| | - Xiaoke Zhong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Technical Analysis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China; The Center of Neuroscience and Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Chen Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Technical Analysis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China; The Center of Neuroscience and Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yuanfu Dai
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Technical Analysis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China; The Center of Neuroscience and Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yuan Yang
- Sports Department, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Changhao Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Technical Analysis, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China; The Center of Neuroscience and Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pitts J, Kannan L, Bhatt T. Cognitive Task Domain Influences Cognitive-Motor Interference during Large-Magnitude Treadmill Stance Perturbations. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7746. [PMID: 37765803 PMCID: PMC10534402 DOI: 10.3390/s23187746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Reactive balance is postulated to be attentionally demanding, although it has been underexamined in dual-tasking (DT) conditions. Further, DT studies have mainly included only one cognitive task, leaving it unknown how different cognitive domains contribute to reactive balance. This study examined how DT affected reactive responses to large-magnitude perturbations and compared cognitive-motor interference (CMI) between cognitive tasks. A total of 20 young adults aged 18-35 (40% female; 25.6 ± 3.8 y) were exposed to treadmill support surface perturbations alone (single-task (ST)) and while completing four cognitive tasks: Target, Track, Auditory Clock Test (ACT), Letter Number Sequencing (LNS). Three perturbations were delivered over 30 s in each trial. Cognitive tasks were also performed while seated and standing (ST). Compared to ST, post-perturbation MOS was lower when performing Track, and cognitive performance was reduced on the Target task during DT (p < 0.05). There was a larger decline in overall (cognitive + motor) performance from ST for both of the visuomotor tasks compared to the ACT and LNS (p < 0.05). The highest CMI was observed for visuomotor tasks; real-life visuomotor tasks could increase fall risk during daily living, especially for individuals with difficulty attending to more than one task.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tanvi Bhatt
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 W Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kannan L, Bhatt T, Ajilore O. Cerebello-cortical functional connectivity may regulate reactive balance control in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1041434. [PMID: 37139074 PMCID: PMC10149739 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1041434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (OAwMCI) experience a two-fold increased risk of falling compared to their cognitively intact counterparts. This increased risk could be attributed to impairments in balance control mechanisms (both volitional and reactive), however, the exact neural substrates contributing to the balance impairments remain unclear. While changes in functional connectivity (FC) networks in volitional balance control tasks have been well highlighted, the relationship between these changes and reactive balance control has not been examined. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between FC networks of the brain obtained during resting state fMRI (no visualization or active task performed) and behavioral measures on a reactive balance task in OAwMCI. Methods Eleven OAwMCI (< 25/30 on MoCA, > 55 years) underwent fMRI and were exposed to slip-like perturbations on the Activestep treadmill. Postural stability, i.e., dynamic center of mass motion state (i.e., its position and velocity) was computed to determine reactive balance control performance. The relationship between reactive stability and FC networks was explored using the CONN software. Results OAwMCI with greater FC in default mode network-cerebellum (r2 = 0.43, p < 0.05), and sensorimotor-cerebellum (r2 = 0.41, p < 0.05) network exhibited lower reactive stability. Further, people with lower FC in middle frontal gyrus-cerebellum (r2 = 0.37, p < 0.05), frontoparietal-cerebellum (r2 = 0.79, p < 0.05) and cerebellar network-brainstem (r2 = 0.49, p < 0.05) exhibited lower reactive stability. Conclusion Older adults with mild cognitive impairment demonstrate significant associations between reactive balance control and cortico-subcortical regions involved in cognitive-motor control. Results indicate that the cerebellum and its communications with higher cortical centers could be potential substrates contributing to impaired reactive responses in OAwMCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Kannan
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Tanvi Bhatt
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Tanvi Bhatt
| | - Olusola Ajilore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ferreira RN, Ribeiro NF, Figueiredo J, Santos CP. Provoking Artificial Slips and Trips towards Perturbation-Based Balance Training: A Narrative Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:9254. [PMID: 36501958 PMCID: PMC9740792 DOI: 10.3390/s22239254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Humans' balance recovery responses to gait perturbations are negatively impacted with ageing. Slip and trip events, the main causes preceding falls during walking, are likely to produce severe injuries in older adults. While traditional exercise-based interventions produce inconsistent results in reducing patients' fall rates, perturbation-based balance training (PBT) emerges as a promising task-specific solution towards fall prevention. PBT improves patients' reactive stability and fall-resisting skills through the delivery of unexpected balance perturbations. The adopted perturbation conditions play an important role towards PBT's effectiveness and the acquisition of meaningful sensor data for studying human biomechanical reactions to loss of balance (LOB) events. Hence, this narrative review aims to survey the different methods employed in the scientific literature to provoke artificial slips and trips in healthy adults during treadmill and overground walking. For each type of perturbation, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to identify trends regarding the most adopted perturbation methods, gait phase perturbed, gait speed, perturbed leg, and sensor systems used for data collection. The reliable application of artificial perturbations to mimic real-life LOB events may reduce the gap between laboratory and real-life falls and potentially lead to fall-rate reduction among the elderly community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael N. Ferreira
- Center for MicroElectroMechanical Systems, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Ferrete Ribeiro
- Center for MicroElectroMechanical Systems, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- MIT Portugal Program, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Figueiredo
- Center for MicroElectroMechanical Systems, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cristina P. Santos
- Center for MicroElectroMechanical Systems, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Purohit R, Bhatt T. Mobile Brain Imaging to Examine Task-Related Cortical Correlates of Reactive Balance: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1487. [PMID: 36358413 PMCID: PMC9688648 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12111487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This systematic review examined available findings on spatial and temporal characteristics of cortical activity in response to unpredicted mechanical perturbations. Secondly, this review investigated associations between cortical activity and behavioral/biomechanical measures. Databases were searched from 1980-2021 and a total of 35 cross-sectional studies (31 EEG and 4 fNIRS) were included. Majority of EEG studies assessed perturbation-evoked potentials (PEPs), whereas other studies assessed changes in cortical frequencies. Further, fNIRS studies assessed hemodynamic changes. The PEP-N1, commonly identified at sensorimotor areas, was most examined and was influenced by context prediction, perturbation magnitude, motor adaptation and age. Other PEPs were identified at frontal, parietal and sensorimotor areas and were influenced by task position. Further, changes in cortical frequencies were observed at prefrontal, sensorimotor and parietal areas and were influenced by task difficulty. Lastly, hemodynamic changes were observed at prefrontal and frontal areas and were influenced by task prediction. Limited studies reported associations between cortical and behavioral outcomes. This review provided evidence regarding the involvement of cerebral cortex for sensory processing of unpredicted perturbations, error-detection of expected versus actual postural state, and planning and execution of compensatory stepping responses. There is still limited evidence examining cortical activity during reactive balance tasks in populations with high fall-risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rudri Purohit
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Tanvi Bhatt
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bolton DAE, Richardson JK. Inhibitory Control and Fall Prevention: Why Stopping Matters. Front Neurol 2022; 13:853787. [PMID: 35432150 PMCID: PMC9005868 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.853787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David A. E. Bolton
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- *Correspondence: David A. E. Bolton
| | - James K. Richardson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pasman EP, McKeown MJ, Garg S, Cleworth TW, Bloem BR, Inglis JT, Carpenter MG. Brain connectivity during simulated balance in older adults with and without Parkinson's disease. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 30:102676. [PMID: 34215147 PMCID: PMC8102637 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with Parkinson's disease often experience postural instability, a debilitating and largely treatment-resistant symptom. A better understanding of the neural substrates contributing to postural instability could lead to more effective treatments. Constraints of current functional neuroimaging techniques, such as the horizontal orientation of most MRI scanners (forcing participants to lie supine), complicates investigating cortical and subcortical activation patterns and connectivity networks involved in healthy and parkinsonian balance control. In this cross-sectional study, we utilized a newly-validated MRI-compatible balance simulator (based on an inverted pendulum) that enabled participants to perform balance-relevant tasks while supine in the scanner. We utilized functional MRI to explore effective connectivity underlying static and dynamic balance control in healthy older adults (n = 17) and individuals with Parkinson's disease while on medication (n = 17). Participants performed four tasks within the scanner with eyes closed: resting, proprioceptive tracking of passive ankle movement, static balancing of the simulator, and dynamic responses to random perturbations of the simulator. All analyses were done in the participant's native space without spatial transformation to a common template. Effective connectivity between 57 regions of interest was computed using a Bayesian Network learning approach with false discovery rate set to 5%. The first 12 principal components of the connection weights, binomial logistic regression, and cross-validation were used to create 4 separate models: contrasting static balancing vs {rest, proprioception} and dynamic balancing vs {rest, proprioception} for both controls and individuals with Parkinson's disease. In order to directly compare relevant connections between controls and individuals with Parkinson's disease, we used connections relevant for predicting a task in either controls or individuals with Parkinson's disease in logistic regression with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regularization. During dynamic balancing, we observed decreased connectivity between different motor areas and increased connectivity from the brainstem to several cortical and subcortical areas in controls, while individuals with Parkinson's disease showed increased connectivity associated with motor and parietal areas, and decreased connectivity from brainstem to other subcortical areas. No significant models were found for static balancing in either group. Our results support the notion that dynamic balance control in individuals with Parkinson's disease relies more on cortical motor areas compared to healthy older adults, who show a preference of subcortical control during dynamic balancing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth P Pasman
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Saurabh Garg
- Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Taylor W Cleworth
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bastiaan R Bloem
- Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Neurology, Center of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J Timothy Inglis
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mark G Carpenter
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mustile M, Kourtis D, Ladouce S, Learmonth G, Edwards MG, Donaldson DI, Ietswaart M. Mobile EEG reveals functionally dissociable dynamic processes supporting real-world ambulatory obstacle avoidance: Evidence for early proactive control. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:8106-8119. [PMID: 33465827 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ability to safely negotiate the world on foot takes humans years to develop, reflecting the extensive cognitive demands associated with real-time planning and control of walking. Despite the importance of walking, methodological limitations mean that surprisingly little is known about the neural and cognitive processes that support ambulatory motor control. Here, we report mobile EEG data recorded from 32 healthy young adults during real-world ambulatory obstacle avoidance. Participants walked along a path while stepping over expected and unexpected obstacles projected on the floor, allowing us to capture the dynamic oscillatory response to changes in environmental demands. Compared to obstacle-free walking, time-frequency analysis of the EEG data revealed clear neural markers of proactive and reactive forms of movement control (occurring before and after crossing an obstacle), visible as increases in frontal theta and centro-parietal beta power respectively. Critically, the temporal profile of changes in frontal theta allowed us to arbitrate between early selection and late adaptation mechanisms of proactive control. Our data show that motor plans are updated as soon as an upcoming obstacle appears, rather than when the obstacle is reached. In addition, regardless of whether motor plans required updating, a clear beta rebound was present after obstacles were crossed, reflecting the resetting of the motor system. Overall, mobile EEG recorded during real-world walking provides novel insight into the cognitive and neural basis of dynamic motor control in humans, suggesting new routes to the monitoring and rehabilitation of motor disorders such as dyspraxia and Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magda Mustile
- Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Dimitrios Kourtis
- Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Simon Ladouce
- Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (ISAE), Toulouse, France
| | - Gemma Learmonth
- Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Martin G Edwards
- Institute of Research in the Psychological Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - David I Donaldson
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Magdalena Ietswaart
- Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Patel PJ, Bhatt T, DelDonno SR, Langenecker SA, Dusane S. Examining Neural Plasticity for Slip-Perturbation Training: An fMRI Study. Front Neurol 2019; 9:1181. [PMID: 30728803 PMCID: PMC6351452 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Perturbation-based balance training has shown to induce adaptation of reactive balance responses that can significantly reduce longer-term fall risk in older adults. While specific cortical and subcortical areas in control of posture and locomotion have been identified, little is known about the training-induced plasticity occurring in neural substrates for challenging tasks involving reactive balance control. The purpose of this study was to use functional neuroimaging to examine and determine the neural substrates, if any, involved in inducing adaptation to slip-like perturbations experienced during walking over 3 consecutive training days. We used a mental imagery task to examine the neural changes accompanied by treadmill-slip perturbation training. Ten healthy young adults were exposed to increasing magnitude of displacements during slip-like perturbations while walking, with an acceleration of 6 m/s2 on a motorized treadmill for 3 consecutive days. Brain activity was recorded through MRI while performing imagined slipping and imagined walking tasks before and after the perturbation training. The number of compensatory steps and center of mass state stability at compensatory step touchdown were recorded. As compared with day 1 (first trial), on day 3 (last trial) there was a significant reduction in number of compensatory steps and increase in stability at compensatory step touchdown on the mid and highest perturbation intensities. Before perturbation training, imagined slipping showed increased activity in the SMA, parietal regions, parahippocampal gyrus, and cingulate gyrus compared with rest. After perturbation training, imagined slipping showed increased activation in DLPFC, superior parietal lobule, inferior occipital gyrus, and lingual gyrus. Perturbation training was not associated with decline in activity in any of the brain regions. This study provides evidence for learning-related changes in cortical structures while adapting to slip-like perturbations while walking. The findings reflect that higher-level processing is required for timing and sequencing of movements to execute an effective balance response to perturbations. Specifically, the CNS relies on DLPFC along with motor, parietal, and occipital cortices for adapting to postural tasks posing a significant threat to balance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prakruti J Patel
- Cognitive-Motor and Balance Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Tanvi Bhatt
- Cognitive-Motor and Balance Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sophie R DelDonno
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Scott A Langenecker
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Shamali Dusane
- Cognitive-Motor and Balance Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|