# Brain Networks and Mobility Function: B-NET

> **NIH NIH R01** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $587,689

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Declining mobility function is a common age-related phenomenon that is associated with reduced quality of life
and high societal costs. Recently, the brain's critical role in mobility function has been recognized using
imaging approaches assessing white matter characteristics. A new paradigm considering the brain as a
complex network uses MRI to directly characterize the brain as a functional network. Brain Networks and
Mobility Function: B-NET brings together national leaders in brain network science, neurology and mobility
assessment to apply this innovative network paradigm to elucidate the aging brain's role in declining mobility.
We propose that functional connectivity within and between the sensorimotor cortex -- community structure
(SMC-CS) -- predicts declining mobility; and that SMC-CS will be associated with mobility independent of
known relationships between white matter integrity and mobility function.
B-Net will establish a cohort of 240 community-dwelling older adults (age range 70-85) and measure mobility
function at baseline, 6, 18 and 30 months using the extended short physical performance battery (eSPPB). The
MRI will be repeated at 30 months. B-Net's specific aims are to:
Specific Aim 1. Determine the baseline association between SMC-CS and eSPPB score. We hypothesize
that SMC-CS will be associated with eSPPB performance independent of known correlates of mobility function
and white matter integrity (i.e. fractional anisotropy and white matter lesions).
Specific Aim 2. Determine whether baseline SMC-CS predicts mobility decline. We hypothesize that poorer
baseline SMC-CS will be predict declining eSPPB scores after accounting for known correlates of mobility
impairment including white matter integrity, cardiovascular fitness, and muscle strength.
Specific Aim 3. Repeat brain MRI imaging to determine the longitudinal association between changes in
SMC-CS and changes in eSPPB score. We hypothesize that longitudinal declines in SMC-CS will be
significantly associated with declining eSPPB performance independent of known correlates of lower extremity
function decline and white matter integrity.
B-NET tests a novel emerging paradigm regarding the CNS's role in age-related functional decline to support
the development of innovative strategies to sustain mobility function in older adults, a critical public health
need.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10189465
- **Project number:** 5R01AG052419-05
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN B. KRITCHEVSKY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $587,689
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-30 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10189465

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10189465, Brain Networks and Mobility Function: B-NET (5R01AG052419-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10189465. Licensed CC0.

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