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Phasic spike-timing-dependent plasticity of human motor cortex during walking
Michelle M Prior1, James W Stinear
1Department of Movement Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, CME 690, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Brain Research
|August 5, 2006
Summary
Paired associative stimulation (PAS) during walking can increase motor system excitability in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. This effect is phase-dependent, showing potential for therapeutic applications in motor rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Movement
Background:
- Understanding motor system excitability is crucial for human movement.
- Enhancing motor system excitability may aid rehabilitation after neural injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of paired associative stimulation (PAS) on motor system excitability during walking.
- To determine if PAS applied to the tibialis anterior (TA) during walking influences TA excitability in a cycle-phase-specific manner.
Main Methods:
- Paired associative stimulation (PAS) was applied to healthy humans during different phases of the walking cycle.
- Common peroneal nerve (CPN) stimulation paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess motor system excitability via motor-evoked potentials (MEPs).
Main Results:
- PAS applied during the late swing phase significantly increased TA motor system excitability (130% of baseline).
- Stimulation during mid-swing reversed the effect, causing suppression rather than facilitation.
- The effects were specific to the TA muscle and not observed in other lower limb muscles.
Conclusions:
- Spike-timing-dependent plasticity protocols can modulate lower limb cortical circuitry during walking.
- The modulation of motor system excitability is dependent on the phase of the step cycle.
- These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for PAS in gait rehabilitation.
