What this means
To investigate the neurobiological basis of procedural learning and retention of motor memories in aging. 1 years, range: 54-73 years) healthy participants.
A plain-English summary is on its way. Until then, this is the start of the authors' own summary.
- Who it was tested in
- People
- Kind of research
- A study
The science
- Original title
- Procedural Learning and Retention in Older Subjects: The Contribution of Sensorimotor and Premotor Cortex.
- Authors
- Doppler CEJ, Meyer L, Weidner R et al.
- Journal
- Brain and behavior
- Published
- Oct 16, 2026
- Study type
- Study · in humans
- PMID
- 42886636 ↗
Abstract
Background
To investigate the neurobiological basis of procedural learning and retention of motor memories in aging.
What they did
We used a modified serial reaction time (SRT) task with feedback in two age groups: young (n = 18, 24.9 ± 3.9 years, range: 18-32 years) and older (n = 19, 63.5 ± 5.1 years, range: 54-73 years) healthy participants. We assessed procedural learning while participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI, Day 1). On the following day, we assessed retention behaviorally outside the scanner.
What they found
Our data show that procedural learning was preserved in healthy older adults. At the same time, retention was even enhanced in healthy older adults. These processes were associated with activation changes in the contralateral sensorimotor and premotor cortices.
Other details
Both groups showed significant procedural learning (p < 0.001) and retention (p < 0.05). Notably, retention was enhanced in older compared to younger adults (p < 0.01), even after normalizing the reaction time (RT) gains to individual RT (p < 0.05). Functional imaging revealed more robust recruitment of the left sensorimotor cortex (SM1) during procedural learning in older participants. Besides, left premotor cortex activity during procedural learning predicted retention in both age groups.
The authors' abstract, grouped under plain headings from its own section labels.
Doppler CEJ, Meyer L, Weidner R et al. Procedural Learning and Retention in Older Subjects: The Contribution of Sensorimotor and Premotor Cortex. Brain and behavior. 2026. doi:10.1002/brb3.71845. PMID: 42886636. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42886636/