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Carson RG, Morley A. Is a mirror necessary for mirror therapy? Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2703-2704. [PMID: 37449631 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.373701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Carson
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Alannah Morley
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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2
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Capozio A, Chakrabarty S, Astill S. Acute Effects of Strength and Skill Training on the Cortical and Spinal Circuits of Contralateral Limb. J Mot Behav 2023; 56:119-131. [PMID: 37788807 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2023.2265316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Unilateral strength and skill training increase strength and performance in the contralateral untrained limb, a phenomenon known as cross-education. Recent evidence suggests that similar neural mechanisms might be responsible for the increase in strength and skill observed in the untrained hand after unimanual training. The aims of this study were to: investigate whether a single session of unimanual strength and skill (force-tracking) training increased strength and skill in the opposite hand; measure ipsilateral (untrained) brain (via transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS) and spinal (via the monosynaptic reflex) changes in excitability occurring after training; measure ipsilateral (untrained) pathway-specific changes in neural excitability (via TMS-conditioning of the monosynaptic reflex) occurring after training. Participants (N = 13) completed a session of unimanual strength (ballistic isometric wrist flexions) and skill (force-tracking wrist flexions) training on two separate days. Strength increased after training in the untrained hand (p = 0.025) but not in the trained hand (p = 0.611). Force-tracking performance increased in both the trained (p = 0.007) and untrained (p = 0.010) hand. Corticospinal excitability increased after force-tracking and strength training (p = 0.027), while spinal excitability was not affected (p = 0.214). TMS-conditioned monosynaptic reflex increased after force-tracking (p = 0.001) but not strength training (p = 0.689), suggesting a possible role of polysynaptic pathways in the increase of cortical excitability observed after training. The results suggest that cross-education of strength and skill at the acute stage is supported by increased excitability of the untrained motor cortex.New & Noteworthy: A single session of isometric wrist flexion strength and skill straining increased strength and skill in the untrained limb. The excitability of the untrained motor cortex increased after strength and skill training. TMS-conditioned H-reflexes increased after skill but not strength training in the untrained hand, indicating that polysynaptic pathways in the increase of cortical excitability observed after skill training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capozio
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Sarah Astill
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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3
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Gupta D, Du X, Summerfelt A, Hong LE, Choa FS. Brain Connectivity Signature Extractions from TMS Invoked EEGs. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:4078. [PMID: 37112420 PMCID: PMC10146617 DOI: 10.3390/s23084078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: The correlations between brain connectivity abnormality and psychiatric disorders have been continuously investigated and progressively recognized. Brain connectivity signatures are becoming exceedingly useful for identifying patients, monitoring mental health disorders, and treatment. By using electroencephalography (EEG)-based cortical source localization along with energy landscape analysis techniques, we can statistically analyze transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-invoked EEG signals, for obtaining connectivity among different brain regions at a high spatiotemporal resolution. (2) Methods: In this study, we analyze EEG-based source localized alpha wave activity in response to TMS administered to three locations, namely, the left motor cortex (49 subjects), left prefrontal cortex (27 subjects), and the posterior cerebellum, or vermis (27 subjects) by using energy landscape analysis techniques to uncover connectivity signatures. We then perform two sample t-tests and use the (5 × 10-5) Bonferroni corrected p-valued cases for reporting six reliably stable signatures. (3) Results: Vermis stimulation invoked the highest number of connectivity signatures and the left motor cortex stimulation invoked a sensorimotor network state. In total, six out of 29 reliable, stable connectivity signatures are found and discussed. (4) Conclusions: We extend previous findings to localized cortical connectivity signatures for medical applications that serve as a baseline for future dense electrode studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Gupta
- Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21227, USA
| | - Xiaoming Du
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Ann Summerfelt
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - L. Elliot Hong
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Fow-Sen Choa
- Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21227, USA
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4
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Bagherzadeh H, Meng Q, Lu H, Hong E, Yang Y, Choa FS. High-Performance Magnetic-core Coils for Targeted Rodent Brain Stimulations. BME FRONTIERS 2022; 2022:9854846. [PMID: 37850171 PMCID: PMC10521704 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9854846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective and Impact Statement. There is a need to develop rodent coils capable of targeted brain stimulation for treating neuropsychiatric disorders and understanding brain mechanisms. We describe a novel rodent coil design to improve the focality for targeted stimulations in small rodent brains. Introduction. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is becoming increasingly important for treating neuropsychiatric disorders and understanding brain mechanisms. Preclinical studies permit invasive manipulations and are essential for the mechanistic understanding of TMS effects and explorations of therapeutic outcomes in disease models. However, existing TMS tools lack focality for targeted stimulations. Notably, there has been limited fundamental research on developing coils capable of focal stimulation at deep brain regions on small animals like rodents. Methods. In this study, ferromagnetic cores are added to a novel angle-tuned coil design to enhance the coil performance regarding penetration depth and focality. Numerical simulations and experimental electric field measurements were conducted to optimize the coil design. Results. The proposed coil system demonstrated a significantly smaller stimulation spot size and enhanced electric field decay rate in comparison to existing coils. Adding the ferromagnetic core reduces the energy requirements up to 60% for rodent brain stimulation. The simulated results are validated with experimental measurements and demonstration of suprathreshold rodent limb excitation through targeted motor cortex activation. Conclusion. The newly developed coils are suitable tools for focal stimulations of the rodent brain due to their smaller stimulation spot size and improved electric field decay rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedyeh Bagherzadeh
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Qinglei Meng
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Hanbing Lu
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Elliott Hong
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yihong Yang
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Fow-Sen Choa
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
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5
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Calvert GHM, Carson RG. Neural mechanisms mediating cross education: With additional considerations for the ageing brain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:260-288. [PMID: 34801578 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CALVERT, G.H.M., and CARSON, R.G. Neural mechanisms mediating cross education: With additional considerations for the ageing brain. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV 21(1) XXX-XXX, 2021. - Cross education (CE) is the process whereby a regimen of unilateral limb training engenders bilateral improvements in motor function. The contralateral gains thus derived may impart therapeutic benefits for patients with unilateral deficits arising from orthopaedic injury or stroke. Despite this prospective therapeutic utility, there is little consensus concerning its mechanistic basis. The precise means through which the neuroanatomical structures and cellular processes that mediate CE may be influenced by age-related neurodegeneration are also almost entirely unknown. Notwithstanding the increased incidence of unilateral impairment in later life, age-related variations in the expression of CE have been examined only infrequently. In this narrative review, we consider several mechanisms which may mediate the expression of CE with specific reference to the ageing CNS. We focus on the adaptive potential of cellular processes that are subserved by a specific set of neuroanatomical pathways including: the corticospinal tract, corticoreticulospinal projections, transcallosal fibres, and thalamocortical radiations. This analysis may inform the development of interventions that exploit the therapeutic utility of CE training in older persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn H M Calvert
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard G Carson
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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6
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Gardi AZ, Vogel AK, Dharia AK, Krishnan C. Effect of conventional transcranial direct current stimulation devices and electrode sizes on motor cortical excitability of the quadriceps muscle. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2021; 39:379-391. [PMID: 34657855 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing concern among the scientific community that the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are highly variable across studies. The use of different tDCS devices and electrode sizes may contribute to this variability; however, this issue has not been verified experimentally. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of tDCS device and electrode size on quadriceps motor cortical excitability. METHODS The effect of tDCS device and electrode size on quadriceps motor cortical excitability was quantified across a range of TMS intensities using a novel evoked torque approach that has been previously shown to be highly reliable. In experiment 1, anodal tDCS-induced excitability changes were measured in twenty individuals using two devices (Empi and Soterix) on two separate days. In experiment 2, anodal tDCS-induced excitability changes were measured in thirty individuals divided into three groups based on the electrode size. A novel Bayesian approach was used in addition to the classical hypothesis testing during data analyses. RESULTS There were no significant main or interaction effects, indicating that cortical excitability did not differ between different tDCS devices or electrode sizes. The lack of pre-post time effect in both experiments indicated that cortical excitability was minimally affected by anodal tDCS. Bayesian analyses indicated that the null model was more favored than the main or the interaction effects model. CONCLUSIONS Motor cortical excitability was not altered by anodal tDCS and did not differ by devices or electrode sizes used in the study. Future studies should examine if behavioral outcomes are different based on tDCS device or electrode size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Z Gardi
- NeuRRo Lab, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amanda K Vogel
- NeuRRo Lab, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aastha K Dharia
- NeuRRo Lab, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chandramouli Krishnan
- NeuRRo Lab, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Michigan Robotics Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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7
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Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation to the Primary Motor Cortex Reduces Cortical Inhibition: A TMS-EEG Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091114. [PMID: 34573136 PMCID: PMC8472376 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) in modulating cortical networks using transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) recording. Methods: Eighteen young adults participated in our study and received iTBS to the primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area, and the primary visual cortex in three separate sessions. A finger tapping task and ipsilateral single-pulse TMS-EEG recording for the M1 were administrated before and after iTBS in each session. The effects of iTBS in motor performance and TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) were investigated. Results: The results showed that iTBS to the M1, but not supplementary motor area or the primary visual cortex, significantly reduced the N100 amplitude of M1 TEPs in bilateral hemispheres (p = 0.019), with a more prominent effect in the contralateral hemisphere than in the stimulated hemisphere. Moreover, only iTBS to the M1 decreased global mean field power (corrected ps < 0.05), interhemispheric signal propagation (t = 2.53, p = 0.030), and TMS-induced early α-band synchronization (p = 0.020). Conclusion: Our study confirmed the local and remote after-effects of iTBS in reducing cortical inhibition in the M1. TMS-induced oscillations after iTBS for changed cortical excitability in patients with various neurological and psychiatric conditions are worth further exploration.
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8
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Zardi A, Carlotti EG, Pontremoli A, Morese R. Dancing in Your Head: An Interdisciplinary Review. Front Psychol 2021; 12:649121. [PMID: 34002113 PMCID: PMC8123236 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.649121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to highlight the most relevant contributions on dance in neuroscientific research. Neuroscience has analyzed the mirror system through neuroimaging techniques, testing its role in imitative learning, in the recognition of other people's emotions and especially in the understanding of the motor behavior of others. This review analyses the literature related to five general areas: (I) breakthrough studies on the mirror system, and subsequent studies on its involvement in the prediction, the execution, the control of movement, and in the process of "embodied simulation" within the intersubjective relationship; (II) research focused on investigating the neural networks in action observation, and the neural correlates of motor expertise highlighted by comparative studies on different dance styles; (III) studies dealing with the viewer's experience of dance according to specific dance repertoires, which revealed the relevance of choreographic choices for aesthetic appreciation; (IV) studies focused on dance as an aesthetic experience, where both the emotional and the cultural dimension play a significant role, and whose investigation paves the way to further progress both in empirical and in phenomenological research methodologies; (V) collaboration-based experiments, in which neuroscientists and choreographers developed expertise-related questions, especially focusing on the multiple phenomena that underlie motor imagery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Zardi
- Department of Humanities, School of Human Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Pontremoli
- Department of Humanities, School of Human Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosalba Morese
- Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
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9
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Carson RG. Inter‐hemispheric inhibition sculpts the output of neural circuits by co‐opting the two cerebral hemispheres. J Physiol 2020; 598:4781-4802. [DOI: 10.1113/jp279793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard G. Carson
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland
- School of Psychology Queen's University Belfast Belfast BT7 1NN UK
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia QLD 4072 Australia
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10
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Cavaleri R, Chipchase LS, Massé-Alarie H, Schabrun SM, Shraim MA, Hodges PW. Corticomotor reorganization during short-term visuomotor training in the lower back: A randomized controlled study. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01702. [PMID: 32633899 PMCID: PMC7428511 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Accumulating evidence suggests that motor skill training is associated with structural and functional reorganization of the primary motor cortex. However, previous studies have focussed primarily upon the upper limb, and it is unclear whether comparable reorganization occurs following training of other regions, such as the lower back. Although this holds important implications for rehabilitation, no studies have examined corticomotor adaptations following short-term motor training in the lower back. METHOD The aims of this study were to (a) determine whether a short-term lumbopelvic tilt visuomotor task induced reorganization of the corticomotor representations of lower back muscles, (b) quantify the variability of corticomotor responses to motor training, and (c) determine whether any improvements in task performance were correlated with corticomotor reorganization. Participants were allocated randomly to perform a lumbopelvic tilt motor training task (n = 15) or a finger abduction control task involving no lumbopelvic movement (n = 15). Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to map corticomotor representations of the lumbar erector spinae before, during, and after repeated performance of the allocated task. RESULTS No relationship between corticomotor reorganization and improved task performance was identified. Substantial variability was observed in terms of corticomotor responses to motor training, with approximately 50% of participants showing no corticomotor reorganization despite significant improvements in task performance. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that short-term improvements in lower back visuomotor task performance may be driven by changes in remote subcortical and/or spinal networks rather than adaptations in corticomotor pathways. However, further research using tasks of varying complexities and durations is required to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Cavaleri
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lucy S Chipchase
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.,College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hugo Massé-Alarie
- CIRRIS Research Centre, Department of Rehabilitation, Laval University, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Muath A Shraim
- Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul W Hodges
- Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Wiegel P, Leukel C. Training of a discrete motor skill in humans is accompanied by increased excitability of the fastest corticospinal connections at movement onset. J Physiol 2020; 598:3485-3500. [DOI: 10.1113/jp279879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Wiegel
- Department of Sport Science University of Freiburg Freiburg 79117 Germany
- Bernstein Center Freiburg University of Freiburg Freiburg 79104 Germany
| | - Christian Leukel
- Department of Sport Science University of Freiburg Freiburg 79117 Germany
- Bernstein Center Freiburg University of Freiburg Freiburg 79104 Germany
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12
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Asín-Prieto G, Martínez-Expósito A, Barroso FO, Urendes EJ, Gonzalez-Vargas J, Alnajjar FS, González-Alted C, Shimoda S, Pons JL, Moreno JC. Haptic Adaptive Feedback to Promote Motor Learning With a Robotic Ankle Exoskeleton Integrated With a Video Game. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:113. [PMID: 32154239 PMCID: PMC7047324 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Robotic devices have been used to rehabilitate walking function after stroke. Although results suggest that post-stroke patients benefit from this non-conventional therapy, there is no agreement on the optimal robot-assisted approaches to promote neurorecovery. Here we present a new robotic therapy protocol using a grounded exoskeleton perturbing the ankle joint based on tacit learning control. Method: Ten healthy individuals and a post-stroke patient participated in the study and were enrolled in a pilot intervention protocol that involved performance of ankle movements following different trajectories via video game visual feedback. The system autonomously modulated task difficulty according to the performance to increase the challenge. We hypothesized that motor learning throughout training sessions would lead to increased corticospinal excitability of dorsi-plantarflexor muscles. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation was used to assess the effects on corticospinal excitability. Results: Improvements have been observed on task performance and motor outcomes in both healthy individuals and post-stroke patient case study. Tibialis Anterior corticospinal excitability increased significantly after the training; however no significant changes were observed on Soleus corticospinal excitability. Clinical scales showed functional improvements in the stroke patient. Discussion and Significance: Our findings both in neurophysiological and performance assessment suggest improved motor learning. Some limitations of the study include treatment duration and intensity, as well as the non-significant changes in corticospinal excitability obtained for Soleus. Nonetheless, results suggest that this robotic training framework is a potentially interesting approach that can be explored for gait rehabilitation in post-stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Asín-Prieto
- Neural Rehabilitation Group, Cajal Institute, CSIC-Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aitor Martínez-Expósito
- Neural Rehabilitation Group, Cajal Institute, CSIC-Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Filipe O Barroso
- Neural Rehabilitation Group, Cajal Institute, CSIC-Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eloy J Urendes
- Department of Information Systems Engineering, University San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Jose Gonzalez-Vargas
- Department of Translations Research and Knowledge Management, OttoBock Healthcare GmbH, Duderstadt, Germany
| | - Fady S Alnajjar
- College of Information Technology, The United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Shingo Shimoda
- Intelligent Behaviour Control Unit, RIKEN, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Jose L Pons
- Neural Rehabilitation Group, Cajal Institute, CSIC-Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain.,Legs & Walking AbilityLab, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of PM&R, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Juan C Moreno
- Neural Rehabilitation Group, Cajal Institute, CSIC-Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Carson RG, Buick AR. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation-promoted plasticity of the human brain. J Physiol 2019; 599:2375-2399. [PMID: 31495924 DOI: 10.1113/jp278298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to paretic limbs has demonstrated utility for motor rehabilitation following brain injury. When NMES is delivered to a mixed peripheral nerve, typically both efferent and afferent fibres are recruited. Muscle contractions brought about by the excitation of motor neurons are often used to compensate for disability by assisting actions such as the formation of hand aperture, or by preventing others including foot drop. In this context, exogenous stimulation provides a direct substitute for endogenous neural drive. The goal of the present narrative review is to describe the means through which NMES may also promote sustained adaptations within central motor pathways, leading ultimately to increases in (intrinsic) functional capacity. There is an obvious practical motivation, in that detailed knowledge concerning the mechanisms of adaptation has the potential to inform neurorehabilitation practice. In addition, responses to NMES provide a means of studying CNS plasticity at a systems level in humans. We summarize the fundamental aspects of NMES, focusing on the forms that are employed most commonly in clinical and experimental practice. Specific attention is devoted to adjuvant techniques that further promote adaptive responses to NMES thereby offering the prospect of increased therapeutic potential. The emergent theme is that an association with centrally initiated neural activity, whether this is generated in the context of NMES triggered by efferent drive or via indirect methods such as mental imagery, may in some circumstances promote the physiological changes that can be induced through peripheral electrical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Carson
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK.,School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alison R Buick
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
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14
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Wenderoth N. Motor Learning Triggers Neuroplastic Processes While Awake and During Sleep. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2018; 46:152-159. [PMID: 29664743 DOI: 10.1249/jes.0000000000000154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral changes characteristic for motor learning result from synaptic plasticity within the sensorimotor system. This review summarizes how the central nervous system responds rapidly to motor activity while awake. It then discusses evidence for the hypothesis that sleep is essential for both stabilizing previously acquired motor memories and maintaining the brain's efficacy to undergo plastic changes to learn new skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Ruddy KL, Rudolf AK, Kalkman B, King M, Daffertshofer A, Carroll TJ, Carson RG. Neural Adaptations Associated with Interlimb Transfer in a Ballistic Wrist Flexion Task. Front Hum Neurosci 2016; 10:204. [PMID: 27199722 PMCID: PMC4853797 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross education is the process whereby training of one limb gives rise to increases in the subsequent performance of its opposite counterpart. The execution of many unilateral tasks is associated with increased excitability of corticospinal projections from primary motor cortex (M1) to the opposite limb. It has been proposed that these effects are causally related. Our aim was to establish whether changes in corticospinal excitability (CSE) arising from prior training of the opposite limb determine levels of interlimb transfer. We used three vision conditions shown previously to modulate the excitability of corticospinal projections to the inactive (right) limb during wrist flexion movements performed by the training (left) limb. These were: (1) mirrored visual feedback of the training limb; (2) no visual feedback of either limb; and (3) visual feedback of the inactive limb. Training comprised 300 discrete, ballistic wrist flexion movements executed as rapidly as possible. Performance of the right limb on the same task was assessed prior to, at the mid point of, and following left limb training. There was no evidence that variations in the excitability of corticospinal projections (assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)) to the inactive limb were associated with, or predictive of, the extent of interlimb transfer that was expressed. There were however associations between alterations in muscle activation dynamics observed for the untrained limb, and the degree of positive transfer that arose from training of the opposite limb. The results suggest that the acute adaptations that mediate the bilateral performance gains realized through unilateral practice of this ballistic wrist flexion task are mediated by neural elements other than those within M1 that are recruited at rest by single-pulse TMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy L Ruddy
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, Queen's University BelfastNorthern Ireland, UK; Neural Control of Movement Lab, ETH ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne K Rudolf
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland; Department of Neurocognitive Psychology, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt, Germany
| | - Barbara Kalkman
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland; Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije University AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maedbh King
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andreas Daffertshofer
- Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Timothy J Carroll
- Centre for Sensorimotor Performance, School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard G Carson
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, Queen's University BelfastNorthern Ireland, UK
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