About this Research Topic
While previous work has sought to identify the central and peripheral neural mechanisms contributing to reduced physical function with aging, the key neural mechanism has yet to be determined. This lack of knowledge also extends to the phenotypes of age-related weakness (i.e., those with and without clinically meaningful weakness). For instance, how does synaptic excitation from supraspinal centers differ between older adults with and without clinically meaningful weakness? Moreover, what are the changes in the inhibitory inputs from afferent muscle fibers and their spinal interneurons or in the intrinsic factors that contribute to motoneuron excitability for this population? Most importantly, how do changes in the central and peripheral nervous systems integrate with and impact other neuroscience domains (e.g., somatosensory, cognitive, motoric, etc.) as it relates to the development and progression of clinically meaningful weakness?
In this Research Topic, we seek to examine a broad spectrum of issues surrounding age-related phenotypic weakness. We welcome submissions of original research, reviews (mini and systematic), hypothesis and theory, and perspective articles. Topics covered include, (but are not limited to) the following themes:
• Anatomical, physiological, and biochemical changes in central and peripheral neural mechanisms with age-related weakness, which are not attributed to overt neurological diseases or disorders
• Functional role of these neural mechanistic changes in altered muscle performance, physical function, and mobility
• Physical and pharmacological interventions that act via neural mechanisms to enhance muscle performance, physical function, and mobility
• Impact of neural mechanistic changes on musculoskeletal and neuroscience domains (e.g., musculoskeletal, somatosensory, cognitive, motoric, etc.)
Keywords: Aging, Dynapenia, Muscle, Nervous System, Sarcopenia, Weakness
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.