Neural substrates of motor memory consolidation depend on practice structure.

Motor-skill practice drives subsequent offline activity in functionally related resting human brain networks. We investigated the manner in which offline neural networks are modulated by practice structures that affect motor-skill retention. Interference to dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), but not to primary motor cortex (M1), after variable practice attenuated motor-skill retention, whereas interference to M1, but not to DLPFC, after constant practice attenuated motor-skill retention. We conclude that neural substrates of motor-memory consolidation are modulated by practice structure.