Long-term balance training enhances sensorimotor GABA levels in older adults: A 7 T longitudinal magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

This study aims to examine the modulatory effect of long-term balance training on sensorimotor cortex GABA level in an older population. In-vivo GABA levels were accessed using in-vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) at 7T. GABA level in sensorimotor cortex was measured in sixteen healthy older adults using MEGA-sSPECIAL sequence, and short echo time semi-sSPECIAL sequence was used for metabolite profiling, before and after a three-months period of balance training. Using edited MEGA-sSPECIAL we detected a significant increase in sensorimotor GABA level after training, indicating potentially enhanced motor inhibition by coordinative balance learning.