Sara J Hussain1, Mary K Vollmer2, Jessica Stimely2, Gina Norato3, Christoph Zrenner4, Ulf Ziemann4, Ethan R Buch2, Leonardo G Cohen2. 1. Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science Program, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. Electronic address: sara.hussain@austin.utexas.edu. 2. Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. 3. Clinical Trials Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. 4. Department of Neurology and Stroke and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Skill learning engages offline activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). Sensorimotor cortical activity oscillates between excitatory trough and inhibitory peak phases of the mu (8-12 Hz) rhythm. We recently showed that these mu phases influence the magnitude and direction of neuroplasticity induction within M1. However, the contribution of M1 activity during mu peak and trough phases to human skill learning has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of phase-dependent TMS during mu peak and trough phases on offline learning of a newly-acquired motor skill. METHODS: On Day 1, three groups of healthy adults practiced an explicit motor sequence learning task with their non-dominant left hand. After practice, phase-dependent TMS was applied to the right M1 during either mu peak or mu trough phases. The third group received sham TMS during random mu phases. On Day 2, all subjects were re-tested on the same task to evaluate offline learning. RESULTS: Subjects who received phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases showed increased offline skill learning compared to those who received phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases or sham TMS during random mu phases. Additionally, phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases elicited stronger whole-brain broadband oscillatory power responses than phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that sensorimotor mu trough phases reflect brief windows of opportunity during which TMS can strengthen newly-acquired skill memories. Published by Elsevier Inc.
BACKGROUND: Skill learning engages offline activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). Sensorimotor cortical activity oscillates between excitatory trough and inhibitory peak phases of the mu (8-12 Hz) rhythm. We recently showed that these mu phases influence the magnitude and direction of neuroplasticity induction within M1. However, the contribution of M1 activity during mu peak and trough phases to human skill learning has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of phase-dependent TMS during mu peak and trough phases on offline learning of a newly-acquired motor skill. METHODS: On Day 1, three groups of healthy adults practiced an explicit motor sequence learning task with their non-dominant left hand. After practice, phase-dependent TMS was applied to the right M1 during either mu peak or mu trough phases. The third group received sham TMS during random mu phases. On Day 2, all subjects were re-tested on the same task to evaluate offline learning. RESULTS: Subjects who received phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases showed increased offline skill learning compared to those who received phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases or sham TMS during random mu phases. Additionally, phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases elicited stronger whole-brain broadband oscillatory power responses than phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that sensorimotor mu trough phases reflect brief windows of opportunity during which TMS can strengthen newly-acquired skill memories. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Entities:
Keywords:
Memory; Motor learning; Oscillations; Phase; Transcranial magnetic stimulation