Open AccessImaging gait analysis: An fMRI dual task study
Author(s) -
Bürki Céline N.,
Bridenbaugh Stephanie A.,
Reinhardt Julia,
Stippich Christoph,
Kressig Reto W.,
Blatow Maria
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.724
Subject(s) - gait , cognition , physical medicine and rehabilitation , functional magnetic resonance imaging , neural correlates of consciousness , psychology , elementary cognitive task , neuroimaging , gait analysis , primary motor cortex , task (project management) , neuroscience , motor cortex , medicine , management , stimulation , economics
In geriatric clinical diagnostics, gait analysis with cognitive‐motor dual tasking is used to predict fall risk and cognitive decline. To date, the neural correlates of cognitive‐motor dual tasking processes are not fully understood. To investigate these underlying neural mechanisms, we designed an fMRI paradigm to reproduce the gait analysis. Methods We tested the fMRI paradigm’s feasibility in a substudy with fifteen young adults and assessed 31 healthy older adults in the main study. First, gait speed and variability were quantified using the GAITR ite © electronic walkway. Then, participants lying in the MRI ‐scanner were stepping on pedals of an MRI ‐compatible stepping device used to imitate gait during functional imaging. In each session, participants performed cognitive and motor single tasks as well as cognitive‐motor dual tasks. Results Behavioral results showed that the parameters of both gait analyses, GAITR ite © and fMRI , were significantly positively correlated. FMRI results revealed significantly reduced brain activation during dual task compared to single task conditions. Functional ROI analysis showed that activation in the superior parietal lobe ( SPL ) decreased less from single to dual task condition than activation in primary motor cortex and in supplementary motor areas. Moreover, SPL activation was increased during dual tasks in subjects exhibiting lower stepping speed and lower executive control. Conclusion We were able to simulate walking during functional imaging with valid results that reproduce those from the GAITR ite © gait analysis. On the neural level, SPL seems to play a crucial role in cognitive‐motor dual tasking and to be linked to divided attention processes, particularly when motor activity is involved.