Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals age-related alterations to motor networks in weighted elbow flexion–extension movement

Abstract

The current study is the first to demonstrate significant differences in brain activation between old and young subjects during weighted elbow flexion-extension movement when both the old and young groups maintain the same performance level. In particular, overactivation of the basal ganglia in the aging brain appears to play a crucial role in counteracting age-related decline of force generation and to support the same level of performance as that of younger counterparts.