Table 1.

Roundtable Discussion: Future Research

Key Areas for Future Research
Longitudinal studies of mechanistic connections between neuropathological changes, inflammation, ischemia, genetic polymorphisms, gene expression, and other biological processes in the brain and the development of mobility impairments in animals and humans across the life span
Studies that manipulate components of genetic, molecular, structural, and/or social networks to determine their effects on specific measures of mobility in animals and humans
Studies that employ unique gerontologic approaches to explore the effects of biological aging on the CNS and mobility (parabiosis, caloric restriction, administration of longevity molecules) in the absence of disease
Study the impact of genetic polymorphisms on the CNS control of mobility (eg, BDNF Met allele impairs plasticity, motor driving, and stroke recovery)
Study age-related changes in tissue maintenance, repair, and plasticity in the CNS and their effects on mobility
Identify compensatory mechanisms that explain intra-individual variability and enable some people, but not others, to adapt to various pathologies

Note: BDNF = brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CNS = central nervous system.