The functional relevance of interhemispheric premotor-motor connectivity for bimanual movements in young and elder healthy subjects

Introduction: With healthy aging, the motor cortical network subserving the execution of voluntary movements is less lateralized. However, aging effects on the temporal dynamics of interhemispheric connectivity patterns and the impact of connectivity changes on bimanual skills are not completely understood. In the present study we evaluated interhemispheric interactions between premotor and primary motor cortex and their functional relevance for bimanual movements in elderly compared to young subjects. Methods: We studied healthy young (n=8; age 23±0.6 years) and elderly (n=9; age 65.2±1.4 years) right-handed in…