Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Fiber Connections of the Supplementary Motor Area Revisited: Methodology of Fiber Dissection, DTI, and Three Dimensional Documentation
Published on: May 23, 2017
Changes in Interhemispheric Motor Connectivity Across the Lifespan: A Combined TMS and DTI Study
Sebastian Strauss1, Martin Lotze2, Agnes Flöel1
1Department of Neurology, University Medicine of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract:
Age-related decline in interhemispheric connectivity between motor areas has been reported with both transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements. However, not all studies were able to confirm these findings, and previous studies did not apply structural (DTI) and functional (TMS) measurements within each individual appropriately. Here, we investigated age dependency of the ipsilateral silent period (ISP) and integrity of fibers in the corpus callosum as operationalized by fractional anisotrophy (FA), using TMS and DTI, respectively, in 20 participants between 19 and 72 years of age. We found age-dependent increase for ISP, and decrease of FA, both indicating a decrease in interhemispheric inhibition, with a negative association between FA and ISP for the dominant hemisphere (r = -0.39, p = 0.043). Our findings suggest that aging leads to decline of interhemispheric motor connectivity, as evidenced in both structural and functional parameters, which should be taken into account when interpreting disease- or medication-related changes.
More Related Videos
06:13Author Spotlight: Exploring Olfactory Influences on Corticospinal Excitability - Insights and Innovations in Neurological Research
Published on: January 19, 2024
11:11Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on the Primary Motor Cortex by Online Combined Approach with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: September 23, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Dietary Connections
Introduction to Connective Tissues
Classification of Connective Tissues
Connective Tissue Proper
Connective tissue proper is the most abundant class of connective tissues. As its name implies, it predominantly connects different tissues in the body. Depending on the cell types, ground substance, viscosity, and fiber types in the ECM, connective tissue proper is further categorized into loose and dense....
Embryonic Connective Tissues
The mesenchyme is the first connective tissue that emerges in the developing embryo. It consists of loosely arranged multipotent mesenchymal cells and reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix. This loose arrangement allows easy migration of cells, which is essential for germ layer positioning, patterning, and organ morphogenesis during embryonic development.
Dense Connective Tissue
Dense Regular Connective Tissue
In dense regular connective tissue, fibers are arranged parallel to each other, enhancing its tensile strength and resistance to stretching in the direction of the fiber orientations. Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular...
Functions of Connective Tissues
Hard connective tissues, such as bones and cartilage, provide structure and support to the body.