Transcranial magnetic stimulation: cortical motor maps in acute spinal cord injury

This investigation examined the motor pathways of four, C5-6 spinal cord injured (SCI) patients within 6-17 days of injury. Mapping of the motor cortex was achieved by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied to the scalp. Motor evoked potentials were recorded from target muscle groups (Biceps brachii and Abductor pollicis brevis m.). Evidence of an expanded cortical map of the preserved contralateral biceps muscle was demonstrated in these patients as early as 6 days. These findings suggested that early motor re-organization may occur following acute cervical spinal cord injury in man.