AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN NEUROCOGNITIVE FUNCTIONS AND SENSORIMOTOR INTEGRATION IN WOMEN RESIDING IN MAGADAN

Abstract

Aim. This study investigates the age-related dynamics of neurocognitive and sensorimotor indicators in women from Magadan. Material and methods. The study involved 103 women divided by age into three groups: Group I – mean age 20 ± 0.24 years; Group II – 35 ± 0.28 years; Group III – 53 ± 1.15 years. Simple reaction time (SRT, ms), choice reaction time (CRT, ms), integral CNS functional status indicators, and short-term visual memory were assessed using an NS-PsychoTest system (Neurosoft, Ivanovo). Results. The study demonstrated a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) with age in latent time and standard deviation of SRT and CRT, as well as in the total number of errors and anticipatory responses during sensorimotor tests (p < 0.05). A statistically significant deterioration (p < 0.05) with age was observed in the functional level of the system, reaction stability, and functional capacity. With age, deterioration was found in visual short-term memory accompanied by an increasing number of errors in image reproduction (p < 0.05). In Group III, average memory capacity was less than 50%, whereas, in Groups I and II, this parameter exceeded 60%. Negative correlations were observed between sensorimotor reaction times (SRT, CRT) and memory capacity/number of reproduced images (r = –0.30 to –0.36, p < 0.05). Conclusion. The study demonstrates age-related decline in neurocognitive functions and sensorimotor integration in women from the Extreme North. These data can be used to develop preventive and therapeutic programs for health maintenance in women from northern regions.