Research Project Doctoral Candidate 01

The relationship between cognition and motor variability in ageing and Parkinson Disease (PD) patients

Fellow

Dilşah Gençaslan

Host Institution

University of Münster, Department Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise

Supervisors

Prof. Dr. Claudia Voelcker-Rehage

PD Dr. Dieter F. Kutz

Project description

This research project, led by Dilşah Gençaslan, focuses on exploring the relationship between neurophysiological variability and motor variability in older adults, with a particular emphasis on age-related and disease-related effects. The primary goal is to systematically examine how brain activity, cognitive performance, and motor control are influenced by aging and potential neurodegenerative conditions.

The broader aim of this work is to identify early predictors of cognitive and motor decline, contribute to earlier diagnoses, and support the development of personalized interventions tailored to individuals’ motor, cognitive, and neural profiles. Ultimately, the project aims to enhance quality of life and promote healthy aging through targeted, data-informed approaches.

(Planned) Secondments

Aix-Marseille University

Tel-Aviv University

June 2025

To achieve these aims, datasets from the SENDA study (Müller et al., 2020) are re-analyzed, which include resting-state EEG and grip force data from healthy younger and older adults, as well as individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In addition to the SENDA dataset, data from an ongoing study involving Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients will also be analyzed. The project applies advanced variability analyses, such as entropy measures, to uncover underlying patterns in these data.
Currently, Dilşah is conducting a secondment at Aix-Marseille University, where she collaborates closely with other researchers while working on these analyses. This phase of the project enables a more detailed examination of age- and disease-related changes in both neurophysiological and motor domains.