Research Square · Oct 27, 2026
Age-related differences in cortical functional connectivity during du al-task walking: a cross-sectional fNIRS study
By Zhang X, Zhao X, Tian J et al.
Background Aging is associated with alterations in gait and cognitive-motor function. This study employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and a dual-task paradigm to investigate differences in cortical functional connectivity (FC) during walking-related tasks between healthy older and younger adults. Methods A total of 58 healthy participants were included, comprising 30 older adults (median age, 67 years [IQR, 63.75–69.25]) and 28 younger adults (median age, 24 years [IQR, 24–25]). Using fNIRS, we compared FC across three conditions: single-task walking, a single cognitive task, and dual-task walking. Associations between FC measures and behavioral parameters were subsequently examined. Between-group and within-group FC differences were assessed using independent-samples and paired-samples t tests, respectively, with false discovery rate correction, and Spearman correlation analyses were used to examine associations between FC and behavioral measures. Results After false discovery rate (FDR) correction, no significant differences in FC were observed between single-task walking and dual-task walking in the younger group. In contrast, the older group showed significantly reduced FC in the right premotor cortex and supplementary motor area (PMC&SMA) during dual-task walking compared with single-task walking (p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences in FC were observed during either single-task condition. During dual-task walking, the older group generated fewer correct words (p < 0.001) and exhibited lower FC in the right prefrontal cortex (PFC) and right PMC&SMA, together with stronger PFC–supramarginal gyrus (SMG) connectivity, compared with the younger group (all p < 0.05). FC measures from these regions were also associated with several cognitive and gait-related parameters. Conclusions Older and younger adults exhibited distinct cortical FC patterns during dual-task walking. Reduced FC in the right PFC and PMC&SMA, together with increased PFC–SMG connectivity in older adults, may reflect age-related alterations in cortical network organization during dual-task walking.