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Cortical dynamics underlying motor skill acquisition: Insights from sequential and random practice using transcranial
Tomoya Kokue1, Ryoki Sasaki1, Yuma Takenaka1
1Graduate Course of Health and Social Services, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa, Japan.
Neuroscience
|October 18, 2025
Summary
Sequential motor skill training improved reaction time by altering brain activity. Combined transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography revealed specific changes in the N45 component during learning, though not directly correlated with performance gains.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Motor skill training induces neuroplasticity in the primary motor cortex.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies show improved motor performance after training.
- Intracortical mechanisms of motor skill acquisition remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate cortical dynamics during motor skill acquisition using combined TMS-EEG.
- Compare sequential versus random practice effects on motor learning.
- Examine changes in motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs).
Main Methods:
- Eighteen healthy adults performed a serial reaction time task.
- Three conditions: sequential learning (LC), random non-learning (NC), and control (CC).
- MEPs and TEPs measured pre- and post-training.
Main Results:
- Reaction time significantly improved in LC, but not NC.
- MEP amplitude decreased after NC, with no change in LC or CC.
- TEPs showed specific N45 component modulation after LC, but no correlation with reaction time improvements.
Conclusions:
- The N45 component modulation is linked to sequential motor learning.
- N45 component changes may reflect underlying cortical processes in skill acquisition.
- N45 component changes are not a direct or sensitive index of motor performance improvements.
