Reaction time for a visually paced simple motor task increases with age

Physiological

Data Availability

Period at which this change occurs is not accurately known

Tissue

  • brain Changes

References

Referencing provided by LibAge

External Links

Description

While performing a visually paced "button-press" motor task, the reaction time was greater in elderly (>50 years, mean 59) subjects vs. young (<35 years, mean 30) subjects. No differences in accuracy were observed. Additionally, the contralateral sensorimotor cortex, lateral premotor area, supplementary motor area, ipsilateral cerebellum, were activated more in the elderly, and the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex, putamen (left > right), and contralateral cerebellum were activated in the elderly only. The authors conclude that elderly subjects recruit additional cortical and subcortical areas even for the performance of simple motor tasks.