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Related Concept Videos

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The brainstem, located inferior to the brain and superior to the spinal cord, serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in relaying information and controlling critical life functions. It comprises three primary regions: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 11, 2025

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior
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Cingulo-opercular control network and disused motor circuits joined in standby mode.

Dillan J Newbold1, Evan M Gordon2, Timothy O Laumann3

  • 1Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110; newbold@wustl.edu ndosenbach@wustl.edu.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|March 23, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Resting-state fMRI shows that immobilizing an upper limb strengthens connections between unused motor areas and the cingulo-opercular network (CON). This disuse leads to spontaneous activity pulses in motor regions and CON, suggesting a standby mode.

Keywords:
disusefMRInetwork neuroscienceplasticityspontaneous activity

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Systems Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • The brain's functional connectivity (FC) adapts to changes in motor activity.
  • Understanding how neural networks reorganize during periods of disuse is crucial for rehabilitation and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of short-term upper-limb immobilization on whole-brain functional connectivity.
  • To identify specific brain networks affected by disuse and the underlying mechanisms of change.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-brain resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) was employed in participants with a 2-week upper-limb cast.
  • Functional connectivity analyses were performed to assess changes in network interactions.
  • Censoring and modeling techniques were used to examine spontaneous activity patterns.

Main Results:

  • Disused motor regions showed increased functional connectivity specifically with the cingulo-opercular network (CON).
  • These connectivity increases were confined to the CON and somatomotor networks, sparing others like the salience and default mode networks.
  • Spontaneous activity pulses in disused motor regions and CON control areas mediated the observed FC increases.

Conclusions:

  • Upper-limb casting induces a 'standby mode' in disused motor circuits.
  • This standby mode is characterized by spontaneous activity pulses and enhanced connectivity to CON executive control regions.
  • These findings provide insights into neural plasticity during motor disuse and potential targets for intervention.