The Role of the Motor Cortex in Motor Learning

2006 ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
Mark Hallett
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Motor Learning

scholarly journals Cooperation not competition: bihemispheric tDCS and fMRI show role for ipsilateral hemisphere in motor learning

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheena Waters ◽  
Tobias Wiestler ◽  
Jörn Diedrichsen
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Motor Learning ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Ipsilateral Hemisphere ◽  
Stimulation Period ◽  
Performance Gains

AbstractWhat is the role of ipsilateral motor and pre-motor areas in motor learning? One view supposes that ipsilateral activity suppresses contralateral motor cortex, and thus needs to be inhibited to improve motor learning. Alternatively, the ipsilateral motor cortex may play an active role in the control and learning of unilateral hand movements. We approached this question by applying double-blind bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over both contralateral and ipsilateral motor cortex in a between-group design during four days of unimanual explicit sequence training. Independently of whether the anode was placed over contralateral or ipsilateral motor cortex, bihemispheric stimulation yielded substantial performance gains relative to unihemispheric or sham stimulation. This performance advantage appeared to be supported by plastic changes in both hemispheres: First, we found that behavioral advantages generalized strongly to the untrained hand, suggesting that tDCS strengthened effector-independent representations. Secondly, functional imaging during speed-matched execution of trained sequences conducted 48 h after training revealed sustained, polarity-independent increases in activity in both motor cortices relative to the sham group. These results suggest a cooperative rather than competitive interaction of the two motor cortices during skill learning and suggest that bihemispheric brain stimulation during unimanual skill learning may be beneficial, because it harnesses plasticity in the ipsilateral hemisphere.Significance statementMany neurorehabilitation approaches are based on the idea that is beneficial to boost excitability in the contralateral hemisphere while attenuating that of the ipsilateral cortex to reduce interhemispheric inhibition. We observed that bihemispheric tDCS with the excitatory anode either over contralateral or ipsilateral motor cortex facilitated motor learning nearly twice as strongly as unihemispheric tDCS. These increases in motor learning were accompanied by increases in fMRI activation in both motor cortices that outlasted the stimulation period, as well as increased generalization to the untrained hand. Collectively, our findings suggest a cooperative—rather than competitive—role of the hemispheres and imply that it is most beneficial to harness plasticity in both hemispheres in neurorehabilitation of motor deficits.

Role of the human motor cortex in rapid motor learning

2001 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf Muellbacher ◽  
Ulf Ziemann ◽  
Babak Boroojerdi ◽  
Leonardo Cohen ◽  
Mark Hallett
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Motor Learning ◽  
Human Motor Cortex ◽  
Human Motor

scholarly journals Pre-motor versus motor cerebral cortex neuromodulation for chronic neuropathic pain

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Lavrov ◽  
Timur Latypov ◽  
Elvira Mukhametova ◽  
Brian Lundstrom ◽  
Paola Sandroni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Motor Cortex Stimulation ◽  
Chronic Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Stimulation Of

AbstractElectrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex (ESCC) has been used to treat intractable neuropathic pain for nearly two decades, however, no standardized approach for this technique has been developed. In order to optimize targeting and validate the effect of ESCC before placing the permanent grid, we introduced initial assessment with trial stimulation, using a temporary grid of subdural electrodes. In this retrospective study we evaluate the role of electrode location on cerebral cortex in control of neuropathic pain and the role of trial stimulation in target-optimization for ESCC. Location of the temporary grid electrodes and location of permanent electrodes were evaluated in correlation with the long-term efficacy of ESCC. The results of this study demonstrate that the long-term effect of subdural pre-motor cortex stimulation is at least the same or higher compare to effect of subdural motor or combined pre-motor and motor cortex stimulation. These results also demonstrate that the initial trial stimulation helps to optimize permanent electrode positions in relation to the optimal functional target that is critical in cases when brain shift is expected. Proposed methodology and novel results open a new direction for development of neuromodulation techniques to control chronic neuropathic pain.

Motor learning during social interaction: the role of social interdependence

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1984-1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ovidiu V. Lungu ◽  
Karen Debas
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Motor Learning ◽  
Social Interdependence
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