Modulation of SICI in preparation of movement in elder compared to young healthy subjects

Aims: Aging of the human motor system has been shown to be associated with behavioural as well as neurophysiological changes. There is some evidence that activity within intracortical inhibitory circuits is reduced during rest in the elderly compared to young. The execution of hand movements is associated with changes in motor cortical excitability including release of inhibition in the M1 contralateral to the moving hand close to movement onset. In the present study, the modulation of intracortical inhibition during movements, determined by intracortical inhibition (SICI), was explored during healthy aging and…