Comparing neural activity of younger and older adults using mobile electroencephalography during mobility in an indoor real-world environment

Poster Session C - Sunday, April 14, 2024, 5:00 – 7:00 pm EDT, Sheraton Hall ABC

Samantha Marshall¹ (smarsh69@uwo.ca), Gianna Jeyarajan¹, Raphael Gabiazon¹, Jennifer Hanna Al-Shaikh¹, Nicholas Hayhow¹, Tia Seleem¹, Lindsay S. Nagamatsu¹; ¹Western University

Neurocognitive inputs are required for safe mobility and navigation through the environment. Mobile neuroimaging has made it possible to observe brain activity outside of standard laboratory environments while participants are in motion. Yet, few studies have explored the portability of these devices in a true real-world environment without a specific task imposed on participants (e.g., dual task, motor demands). Therefore, our research utilizes mobile electroencephalography to examine and compare neural activity during sitting and walking in laboratory and real-world environments across younger (n=40) and older adults with and without a falls history (n=36). In younger adults, statistical analyses demonstrated significant differences in mean theta, alpha, and beta band power (μV2) across the four conditions. Overall, we observed increased brain activation for walking compared to sitting, and for real-world walking compared to laboratory walking. Preliminary findings suggest that elicited band power may differ across younger and older adults, and older adults with and without mobility impairments. Our findings expand current knowledge on brain function, human mobility, and fall risk using real-world methods and technology. As our findings suggest that mobility and environmental factors may modulate neural activity, we highlight the potential and importance for real-world methods to supplement standard research practices to increase the ecological validity of studies conducted across the scientific community.

Topic Area: METHODS: Neuroimaging