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Improved motor skill acquisition after selective stimulation of central norepinephrine
Christian Plewnia1, Julia Hoppe, Leonardo G Cohen
1Cortical Physiology Research Group, Department of General Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Abstract:
It has been proposed that the beneficial effects of training on motor function can be enhanced by stimulation of alpha-adrenergic mechanisms. Consistent with this view, a single oral dose of the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor reboxetine was found to enhance motor skill acquisition (rapid elbow flexion) and corticomotor excitability tested with transcranial magnetic stimulation in the absence of effects on basal motor performance. Therefore, alpha-adrenergic mechanisms could possibly be manipulated to magnify training effects in neurorehabilitation.