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• Lesion network mapping identifies functional networks associated with falls risk • WMH-related disruption to the DAN is associated with greater falls risk • WMH-related disruption to the SMN and VAN are associated with foam sway • Physical activity moderates the association between the DAN and falls risk White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are associated with greater falls risk and slow gait speed. Whether these deficits are caused by the disruption of large-scale functional networks remains inconclusive. Further, physical activity moderates the association between WMHs and falls, but whether this extends to the disruption of functional networks remains unknown. One hundred and sixty-four adults (>55 years old) were included in this study. Using lesion network mapping, we identified significant correlations between the percentage of WMH-related disruption of the dorsal attention network and Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) score (r = 0.24, p < 0.01); and between disruption of both the sensorimotor (r = 0.23, p < 0.01) and ventral attention networks (r = 0.21, p = 0.01) with foam sway. There were no significant associations with floor sway or gait speed. Physical activity moderated the association between the dorsal attention network and PPA score (p = 0.045). Thus, future research should investigate whether physical activity should be recommended in the clinical management of older adults with cerebral small vessel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Gluten-free formulations are often supplemented with proteins to improve their quality. To determine the effects of alternative proteins on a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-treated gluten-free dough system, soy protein isolate was added at 1%, 2% and 3% while egg white solids were investigated at 5%, 10% and 15%. The formulated doughs were analysed using thermoanalytic and rheological techniques to determine the role of water and subsequent flow behaviour upon hydrocolloid addition. The baked loaves were measured for specific loaf volume and tensile strength to determine bread quality. The addition of soy protein isolate and egg white solids (5% and 10%) reduced dough stability by suppressing HPMC functionality, reducing available water, weakening HPMC interactions with the starch matrix and reducing foam stability. At 15% addition, egg white solids became the primary protein scaffolding in the dough and overcame negative interactions with HPMC, improving the loaf volume. However, this formulation may need further optimisation to meet full consumer acceptability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Subtle changes in mobility exist among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Life-space mobility defines the frequency and extent of movements in the environment, and lower life-space mobility is associated with adverse health outcomes and MCI. Currently, the underlying mechanism of this association is not well understood. This study examined the functional neural correlates of life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults with MCI. We first conducted a cross-sectional investigation of the association between resting-state default mode network (DMN) and sensori-motor network (SMN) connectivity and life-space mobility (assessed by the Life-Space Assessment (LSA)) among 60 community-dwelling older adults with MCI using aggregated data from two studies – baseline data from a randomized controlled trial (n = 20) and baseline data from a 12-month prospective study (n = 40). Using data from the 12-month prospective study (n = 35), we then examined whether baseline internetwork connectivity predicts reduced life-space mobility over 12 months. The cross-sectional analysis showed higher DMN-SMN connectivity was associated with lower LSA scores after adjusting for baseline global cognitive function and baseline age (p < 0.01). A significant reduction in LSA scores was observed in the 35 participants of the 12-month prospective study (paired sample t -test mean change = −6.53, p = 0.01). Greater baseline DMN-SMN connectivity was associated with greater reduction in life-space mobility at 12 months (p = 0.04) after adjusting for baseline age, global cognitive function, and LSA score. Our findings suggest that lower and reduced life-space mobility in older adults with MCI may be due to altered functional architecture of the brain such that normal neuro-cognitive motor behaviours may be disrupted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fallers with MCI had a greater level of disruptive DMN-SMN connectivity. • DMN-SMN connectivity increased linearly from Fallers only – MCI only – Fallers + MCI. • Fallers with MCI have significantly greater postural sway than those without MCI. • Postural sway increased linearly from Fallers only - MCI only - Fallers + MCI. Disrupted functional connectivity has been highlighted as a neural mechanism by which impaired cognitive function and mobility co-exist in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The objective of this study was to determine the independent and combined effects of MCI and faller status on functional connectivity of three functional networks: default mode network (DMN), fronto-parietal network (FPN) and sensorimotor network (SMN) between 4 groups of older adults: 1) Healthy; 2) MCI without Falls; 3) Fallers without MCI; and 4) Fallers with MCI. Sixty-six adults aged 70–80 years old were included. Cognition was assessed using: 1) cognitive dual task; 2) Stroop Colour-Word Test; 3) Trail Making Tests (TMT); and 4) Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Postural sway was assessed with eyes opened and standing on the floor. Functional connectivity was measured using fMRI while performing a finger-tapping task. Differences in DMN-SMN connectivity were found for Fallers with MCI vs Fallers without MCI (p =.001). Fallers with MCI had significantly greater postural sway than the other groups. Both DMN-SMN connectivity (p =.03) and postural sway (p =.001) increased in a significantly linear fashion from Fallers without MCI, to MCI without Falls, to Fallers with MCI. Participants with MCI performed significantly worse on the DSST (p =.003) and TMT (p =.007) than those without MCI. Aberrant DMN-SMN connectivity may underlie reduced postural stability. Having both impaired cognition and mobility is associated with a greater level of disruptive DMN-SMN connectivity and increased postural sway than singular impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise plays a key role in healthy aging by promoting both physical and cognitive function. Physical function and cognitive function appear to be interrelated and may share common mechanisms. Thus, exercise-induced improvements in physical function and cognitive function may co-occur and be associated with each other. However, no systematic review has specifically assessed and compared the effects of exercise on both physical function and cognitive function in older adults, and the association between changes in both outcomes after exercise training. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (N = 48 studies) among older adults (60+ years). These data suggest exercise training has a significant benefit for both physical function (g = 0.39; p < 0.001) and cognitive function (g = 0.24; p < 0.001). At the study level, there was a positive correlation between the size of the exercise-induced effect on physical function and on cognitive function (b = 0.41; p = 0.002). Our results indicate exercise improves both physical and cognitive function, reiterating the notion that exercise is a panacea for aging well. • Maintaining physical and cognitive function is critical for healthy aging. • Physical function and cognitive function are linked and share common mechanisms. • Exercise training improves physical function and cognitive function. • Exercise-induced improvements in physical and cognitive function are associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]