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Impaired consolidation of visuomotor adaptation in patients with multiple sclerosis
Carine Nguemeni1, Luis Nakchbandi1, György Homola2
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
Background:
Apart from inflammation and neurodegeneration, the individual clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) might be determined by differential adaptive capacities of the central nervous system. It has been postulated that the retention of adaptive training effects may be impaired in persons with MS (PwMS).
Objective:
To investigate motor adaptation and consolidation capacities of people with MS in a visual motor adaptation task (VAT).
Methods:
A total of 23 PwMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score < 6) and 20 matched healthy controls were recruited. All participants completed three sessions of a VAT where a clockwise rotation angle of 30° was introduced as perturbation during the active learning part of the paradigm. The training session (T0 ) was repeated after 24 h (T1 ) and 72 h (T2 ). Directional errors and parameters of adaptation and retention were evaluated.
Results:
PwMS showed similar adaptation and online learning abilities as controls. However, the retention ratio was significantly lower in patients compared to controls at T1 (p = 0.036) and T2 (p = 0.039). There was no significant correlation between the overall adaptation or retention ratio and the EDSS score, respectively.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate intact adaptation, but limited consolidation, in patients with mild-to-moderate MS. Future studies are needed to define the neurobiological substrates of this plasticity and the extent to which it can influence clinical outcomes.
Insights
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) show normal motor learning but struggle to retain learned skills over time. This impaired consolidation may impact their long-term functional recovery and daily living.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Science
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) clinical course may depend on central nervous system adaptive capacities.
- Impaired retention of adaptive training effects is postulated in persons with MS (PwMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate motor adaptation and consolidation in PwMS using a visual motor adaptation task (VAT).
Main Methods:
- 23 PwMS (EDSS < 6) and 20 controls performed a VAT with a 30° rotation perturbation.
- Training sessions were repeated at 24h (T1) and 72h (T2) to assess retention.
- Directional errors, adaptation, and retention parameters were evaluated.
Main Results:
- PwMS demonstrated intact motor adaptation and online learning compared to controls.
- Significantly lower retention ratios were observed in PwMS at T1 (p=0.036) and T2 (p=0.039).
- No significant correlation found between adaptation/retention ratios and EDSS scores.
Conclusions:
- Patients with mild-to-moderate MS exhibit intact motor adaptation but limited skill consolidation.
- Further research is needed to understand the neurobiological basis of this impaired plasticity and its clinical relevance.
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