White matter fibre density in the brain's inhibitory control network is
associated with falling in older adults
Abstract
Recent research has indicated that the relationship between age-related
cognitive decline and falling may be mediated by the individual’s
capacity to quickly cancel or inhibit a motor response. This
longitudinal investigation demonstrates that higher white matter fibre
density in the motor inhibition network paired with low physical
activity was associated with falling in elderly participants. We
measured the density of white matter fibre tracts connecting key nodes
in the inhibitory control network in a large sample (n=414) of older
adults. We modelled their self-reported frequency of falling over a four
year period with white matter fibre density in pathways corresponding to
the direct and hyperdirect cortical-subcortical loops implicated in the
inhibitory control network. Only connectivity between right Inferior
Frontal Gyrus and right Subthalamic Nucleus was associated with falling
as measured cross-sectionally. The connectivity was not, however,
predictive of future falling when measured two and four years later.
Higher white matter fibre density was associated with falling, but only
in combination with low levels of physical activity. No such
relationship existed for selected control brain regions that are not
implicated in the inhibitory control network. The direction of this
effect was counterintuitive and warrants further longitudinal
investigation into whether white matter fibre density changes over time
in a manner correlated with falling, and mediated by physical activity.