Longitudinal umbrella project: Psychomotor functions, cognition and brain status in normal aging and MCI
During the course of aging a decline of specialization of functions takes place, which is known as the dedifferentiation process. Dedifferentiation is clearly observed in the tight interrelation of sensory, motor and cognitive functions that occurs with increasing age. At the Dept. of psychology in Tromsø, we are working on the study of dedifferentiation of motor and cognitive functions. We have launched an umbrella project in which we examine the association of motor and cognitive declines in various aging populations. The goal is to investigate longitudinally whether specific associations between psychomotor function, cognitive abilities and brain status existed in specific groups of older adults. The psychomotor functions studied are those dependent on the well-functioning of higher mental capacities. Because at present, the early detection of pathological cognitive decline in the clinical set (i.e., Alzheimer's disease, AD) is often dubious, the present investigation has important implications. On one hand, the project aims to advance our understanding of normal age-related changes in cognition and complex motor functions. On the other hand, we seek to identify new psychomotor markers of pathological aging appearing prior to memory complaints, that may help in the early detection of AD.
In this main project, we examine the association of motor and cognitive declines in groups of participants ranging from healthy older adults to patients at the early phases of dementia. We focus on the study of fine and complex motor changes in different activities of daily living such as speech, gait and dexterity and their association with cognitive functions and brain status. Standard neuropsychological assessment is performed for evaluation of cognition while the assessment of motor functions is conducted by the use of kinematics, speech analysis and spatio-temporal analyses of gait. The mentioned cognitive and behavioral outcomes are linked to structural changes in the brain by the use of MRI techniques. Three areas of study have been developed (speech, hand dexterity and gait) and information about them is presented in the "Our projects" page.
Members:
Financial/grant information:
The Umbrella project has received various grants from different funders including Helse Nord, Norwegian Health Association (Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelse) and UiT.