Jonathan List1, Susan Hertel-Zens2, Jan Carl Kübke2, Anne Lesemann3, Stephan J Schreiber2, Agnes Flöel4. 1. Department of Neurology, Charité-University Hospital, Berlin, Germany; Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: Jonathan.List@charite.de. 2. Department of Neurology, Charité-University Hospital, Berlin, Germany. 3. Department of Neurology, Charité-University Hospital, Berlin, Germany; Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. 4. Department of Neurology, Charité-University Hospital, Berlin, Germany; Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: Agnes.Floeel@charite.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To study the impact of impaired cerebral autoregulation on cortical neurophysiology, long term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity, motor learning and brain structure. METHODS:12 patients with unilateral occlusion or severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery were included. Impairment of cerebral autoregulation was determined by vasomotor reactivity in transcranial Doppler sonography. Corticomotor excitability, cortical silent period and LTP-like plasticity were assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation, motor learning with a force production task, and brain structure with high-resolution MRI of the brain. RESULTS: In the affected hemisphere, corticomotor excitability was significantly higher, cortical silent period and LTP-like plasticity significantly lower, compared to the contralateral side. No significant difference emerged for motor learning, cortical thickness and white matter integrity between the hemispheres. CONCLUSION: Despite decreased LTP-like plasticity in the affected hemisphere, motor learning was comparable between hemispheres, possibly due to gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA)B-mediated corticomotor excitability changes within the affected hemisphere. Our results may help to develop interventions to beneficially modulate cortical physiology in the presence of cerebral hypoperfusion.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To study the impact of impaired cerebral autoregulation on cortical neurophysiology, long term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity, motor learning and brain structure. METHODS: 12 patients with unilateral occlusion or severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery were included. Impairment of cerebral autoregulation was determined by vasomotor reactivity in transcranial Doppler sonography. Corticomotor excitability, cortical silent period and LTP-like plasticity were assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation, motor learning with a force production task, and brain structure with high-resolution MRI of the brain. RESULTS: In the affected hemisphere, corticomotor excitability was significantly higher, cortical silent period and LTP-like plasticity significantly lower, compared to the contralateral side. No significant difference emerged for motor learning, cortical thickness and white matter integrity between the hemispheres. CONCLUSION: Despite decreased LTP-like plasticity in the affected hemisphere, motor learning was comparable between hemispheres, possibly due to gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA)B-mediated corticomotor excitability changes within the affected hemisphere. Our results may help to develop interventions to beneficially modulate cortical physiology in the presence of cerebral hypoperfusion.
Authors: Mariagiovanna Cantone; Giuseppe Lanza; Francesco Fisicaro; Manuela Pennisi; Rita Bella; Vincenzo Di Lazzaro; Giovanni Di Pino Journal: Neural Plast Date: 2020-10-27 Impact factor: 3.599