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Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Measuring and Manipulating Functionally Specific Neural Pathways in the Human Motor System with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: February 23, 2020
Altered motor system function in post-concussion syndrome as assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation
Mitchell B Locke1, Stephen L Toepp1, Claudia V Turco1
1Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.
Objective:
It is unclear why specific individuals incur chronic symptoms following a concussion. This exploratory research aims to identify and characterize any neurophysiological differences that may exist in motor cortex function in post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
Methods:
Fifteen adults with PCS and 13 healthy, non-injured adults were tested. All participants completed symptom questionnaires, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure intracortical and transcallosal excitability and inhibition in the dominant motor cortex.
Results:
Cortical silent period (p = 0.02, g = 0.96) and ipsilateral silent period (p = 0.04, g = 0.78) were shorter in the PCS group compared to the control group which may reflect reduced GABA-mediated inhibition in PCS. Furthermore, increased corticomotor excitability was observed in the left hemisphere but not the right hemisphere.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that persistent neurophysiological differences are present in those with PCS. The exact contributing factors to such changes remain to be investigated by future studies.
Significance:
This study provides novel evidence of lasting neurophysiological changes in PCS.
