THE capacity to move is essential for functional independence and declines with age across species. Since a major aim of the field of aging is to promote prolonged functional independence, greater insights into the causes and management of age-related changes in mobility are one key to longer active life. Much is known about contributors to age-related mobility problems, especially due to cardiopulmonary, mus-culoskeletal, and overt neurological conditions like stroke and Parkinson's disease. In recent years, substantial epide-miological evidence suggests that subclinical changes in the brain are associated cross-sectionally and longitudinally with age-related gait slowing and variability (1). A better understanding of the role of the brain in age-related declines in mobility has the potential to lead to novel approaches to prevent or treat mobility disability. With this Special Issue, we wish to highlight progress in this high potential area.
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