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Exploring the effects of dopamine on sensorimotor inhibition and mobility in older adults

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Abstract

Dopaminergic activity decreases in older adults (OAs) with normal aging and is further reduced in Parkinson’s disease (PD), affecting cortical motor and sensorimotor pathways. Levodopa is the prevailing therapy to counter dopamine loss in PD, though not all PD motor signs improve with levodopa. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the effects of levodopa on sensorimotor inhibition, gait and quiet standing in OAs and to investigate the relationships between sensorimotor inhibition and both gait and standing balance both OFF- and ON-levodopa. Fifteen OA males completed a gait, balance and sensorimotor assessments before and 1 h after they were given a 100 mg dose of levodopa. Short-latency afferent inhibition quantified sensorimotor inhibition. Wearable sensors characterized gait (two-minute walk) and standing balance (1-min stance). No sensorimotor inhibition, gait, or standing balance measures changed from OFF- to ON-levodopa. When OFF-levodopa, worse inhibition significantly related to increased double stance (r = 0.62; p = 0.01), increased jerkiness of sway (r = 0.57; p = 0.03) and sway area (r = 0.58; p = 0.02). While ON-levodopa, worse inhibition related to increased arm swing range of motion (r = 0.63; p = 0.01) and jerkiness of sway (r = 0.53; p = 0.04). The relationship between SAI and arm swing excursion significantly changed from OFF- to ON-levodopa (z = − 3.05; p = 0.002; 95% confidence interval = − 0.95, − 0.21). Sensorimotor inhibition relationships to both gait and balance may be affected by dopamine in OAs. Cortical restructuring due to the loss of dopamine may be responsible for the heterogeneity of levodopa effect in people with PD and OAs.

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Data availability statement

The data sets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This publication was possible due to the work and effort of each listed co-author. DNM, FBH, and JGN conceptualized and received funding; DNM, RM and GH contributed to recruitment and data collection; DNM and GH contributed to data processing and analyses; Each author contributed to interpretation; DNM wrote the initial draft, RM, VEK, JGN and FBH contributed to editing and review.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (P50 NS062684), the US Department of Veterans Affairs (101 CX001702), and the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon (ANEUR0967).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Douglas N. Martini, Rosie Morris, Graham Harker, John G. Nutt & Fay B. Horak

  2. Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 30 Eastman Lane, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    Douglas N. Martini

  3. Department of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK

    Rosie Morris

  4. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    Valerie E. Kelly

Authors
  1. Douglas N. Martini
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  2. Rosie Morris
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  3. Graham Harker
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  4. Valerie E. Kelly
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  5. John G. Nutt
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  6. Fay B. Horak
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Correspondence to Douglas N. Martini.

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Conflict of interest

OHSU and Dr. Horak have a significant financial interest in APDM Wearable Technologies, a Clario company, that may have a commercial interest in the results of this research and technology. This potential conflict has been reviewed and managed by OHSU. No other author has a financial disclosure to claim.

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Communicated by Winston D Byblow.

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Martini, D.N., Morris, R., Harker, G. et al. Exploring the effects of dopamine on sensorimotor inhibition and mobility in older adults. Exp Brain Res 241, 127–133 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-022-06509-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-022-06509-1

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