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Rapid modulation of GABA concentration in human sensorimotor cortex during motor learning
Anna Floyer-Lea1, Marzena Wylezinska, Tamas Kincses
1Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|October 14, 2005
Summary
Motor learning rapidly decreases GABA concentration in the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Neuroplasticity
Background:
- Motor learning alters neural representations in the motor and somatosensory cortices.
- Decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration and release may underlie this neuroplasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate noninvasively the serial changes in GABA concentration within the human primary sensorimotor cortex during motor sequence learning.
- To determine if observed changes are specific to motor learning and hemisphere.
Main Methods:
- In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was employed to measure GABA concentration.
- Participants performed an isometric motor sequence learning task using their dominant hand.
- GABA levels were assessed in the primary sensorimotor cortex contralateral and ipsilateral to the learning hand.
Main Results:
- Thirty minutes of motor sequence learning led to an approximate 20% reduction in GABA concentration in the contralateral primary sensorimotor cortex.
- This GABA reduction was specific to motor learning, as non-repetitive, unlearnable movements did not induce similar changes.
- No significant changes in GABA concentration were observed in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex.
Conclusions:
- Motor learning induces rapid, regionally specific, short-term presynaptic modulation of GABAergic input.
- This modulation, occurring in the contralateral hemisphere, likely facilitates motor learning and occurs over a wide neocortical area.
- Findings suggest GABAergic system plasticity plays a crucial role in motor skill acquisition.