Increased functional connectivity between somatosensory/cerebellar regions and the motor cortex is associated with poorer balance (greater sway) in older adults, particularly those with lower cognitive function.
Connectivity of somatosensory cortex (S1) and cerebellum with the motor cortex (M1) is critical for balance control. While both S1-M1 and cerebellar-M1 connections are affected with aging, the implications of altered connectivity for balance control are not known. We investigated the relationship between S1-M1 and cerebellar-M1 connectivity and standing balance in middle-aged and older adults. Our secondary objective was to investigate how cognition affected the relationship between connectivity and balance. Our results show that greater S1-M1 and cerebellar-M1 connectivity was related to greater postural sway during standing. This may be indicative of an increase in functional recruitment of additional brain networks to maintain upright balance despite differences in network connectivity. Also, cognition moderated the relationship between S1-M1 connectivity and balance, such that those with lower cognition had a stronger relationship between connectivity and balance performance. It may be that individuals with poor cognition need increased recruitment of brain regions (compensation for cognitive declines) and in turn, higher wiring costs, which would be associated with increased functional connectivity. • Higher S1-M1 and cerebellar-M1 connectivity was related to higher sway in standing. • Cognition moderated the relationship between S1-M1 connectivity and balance. • Lower cognition had a stronger relationship between connectivity and balance. • Age did not influence the relationship between connectivity and balance.
Sansare et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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