# Effects of Aging on Cortical Excitability During Motor Learning

> **NIH VA I01** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2021 · —

## Abstract

The current proposal seeks quantify neural inhibition using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and
transcranial magenetic stimulation (TMS) in older Veterans to identify how each measures contributes to
aging-related changes in motor performance. Currently, over 56% (11.8 million) of Veterans are over age 60.
Recent research has shown that aging is associated with decreased cortical inhibition and impaired hand
motor function. However, this loss of inhibition is not an inescapable consequence of aging. Our previous work
that healthy older adults who engage in regular physical activity show increased cortical inhibition and
improved dexterity as compared to their sedentary age cohort. This indicates that aerobic training may reverse
aging related changes in cortical inhibition and alteration of tonic levels of cortical excitability can have a
powerful impact on motor performance in the aging brain. In the current proposal, we will enroll older adults to
assess how different measurements (TMS and MRS) of the dominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain –
GABA differ in relation to motor control. During the MRS scan, participants will perform a motor learning task to
assess change in GABA level throughout the acquisition session. These data will be compared with measures
of cortical inhibition using TMS to quantify neurotransmitter receptor activity with respect to aging-related
changes in motor performance. We will also be comparing the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention as
compared to a contact matched stretching control. We believe this project is the first inquiry of its kind and will
have an important impact in our understanding of aging-related neurophysiological changes in the brain and
how we can remediate associated behavioral declines.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10385683
- **Project number:** 5I01RX002619-04
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Joe Robert Nocera
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-10-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10385683

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10385683, Effects of Aging on Cortical Excitability During Motor Learning (5I01RX002619-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10385683. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*