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Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation
Published on: December 31, 2013
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Recent History of Effector Use Modulates Practice-Dependent Changes in Corticospinal Excitability but Not Motor
Sara J Hussain1, Warren G Darling1, Kelly J Cole1
1Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA.
Brain Stimulation
|April 28, 2016
Summary
Reducing hand use enhanced practice-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability but did not improve motor skill learning or retention. This suggests that solely boosting neural plasticity isn't enough for skill acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Motor Learning
Background:
- Homeostatic metaplasticity influences motor cortical plasticity and learning.
- Recent effector use impacts induced plasticity, but its effect on motor learning remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate if reducing effector use via immobilization enhances motor learning and practice-dependent plasticity.
- Determine if reduced effector use promotes retention of a ballistic motor skill.
Main Methods:
- A crossover study involved 8-hour hand/wrist immobilization versus a control condition.
- Measured motor evoked potentials (MEP) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-evoked thumb movement kinematics before and after motor practice.
- Assessed skill retention 30 minutes and 24 hours post-practice.
Main Results:
- Reduced effector use facilitated practice-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability, specific to the trained muscle.
- No significant effects were observed on TMS-evoked thumb movements, skill acquisition, or retention.
- Associations between pre-practice excitability, plasticity, and learning did not meet significance criteria.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing practice-dependent corticospinal excitability through reduced effector use is insufficient for promoting ballistic motor skill learning or memory.
