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Sketchpad Series

Neural Correlates of Self-Motion Perception Training in Older Adults

Poster Session F - Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 8:00 – 10:00 am EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Fred Mast¹ (fred.mast@unibe.ch), Andreas Szukics¹, Matthias Ertl^1,2; ¹University of Bern, ²University of Lucerne

Introduction: Perceptual learning (PL) of self-motion discrimination reduces perceptual motion thresholds, enhancing sensitivity to subtle non-visual self-motion cues. We were able to demonstrate that this perceptual improvement also positively influences postural stability and gait in older adults. However, the neural mechanisms underlying PL remain unclear. We investigate the pre- and post-training changes in resting state, neuronal connectivity and EEG associated with PL. Methods: Participants (90, aged 65 and older) are randomly assigned to (1) self-motion training (10 one-hour sessions of roll-rotation PL), (2) Tai Chi training, or (3) a passive control condition. Pre- and post-training assessments include perceptual motion thresholds, vestibular-evoked potentials (VestEPs), rsMRI, posturography, and gait measures. Expected Results: We expect that self-motion training will, as in a previous study, improve perceptual motion thresholds, and we hypothesize that such improvement is absent in the two control groups. We plan to use the behavioral results as predictor for a seed-based (OP2) rsfMRI connectivity analysis. With respect to the EEG data, we expect, based on the literature, that successful PL leads to increased N1 and P2 amplitudes for the trained roll-rotations, but does not alter the amplitudes for other motion directions (no transfer effects). Analyzing neural correlates of PL will provide valuable insights into the mechanisms driving these improvements. Self-motion perceptual training can contribute to fall prevention for older adults.

Topic Area: PERCEPTION & ACTION: Other