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Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention
Published on: September 11, 2017
Interactions Between Cerebellum and the Intracortical Excitatory Circuits of Motor Cortex: a Mini-Review
George M Opie1, Wei-Yeh Liao1, John G Semmler2
1Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
Abstract:
Interactions between cerebellum (CB) and primary motor cortex (M1) are critical for effective motor function. Although the associated neurophysiological processes are yet to be fully characterised, a growing body of work using non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques has significantly progressed our current understanding. In particular, recent developments with both transcranial magnetic (TMS) and direct current (tDCS) stimulation suggest that CB modulates the activity of local excitatory interneuronal circuits within M1. These circuits are known to be important both physiologically and functionally, and understanding the nature of their connectivity with CB therefore has the potential to provide important insight for NIBS applications. Consequently, this mini-review provides an overview of the emerging literature that has investigated interactions between CB and the intracortical excitatory circuits of M1.
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