Do movement-related beta oscillations change after stroke?

Stroke is the most common cause of physical disability in the world today. While the key element of rehabilitative therapy is training, there is currently much interest in approaches that “prime” the primary motor cortex to be more excitable, thereby increasing the likelihood of experience-dependent plasticity. Cortical oscillations reflect the balance of excitation and inhibition, itself a key determinant of the potential for experience-dependent plasticity. In the motor system, beta-band oscillations are important and are thought to maintain the resting sensorimotor state. Here we examined motor cortex beta oscillations during rest and unimanual movement in a group of stroke patients and healthy control subjects, using magnetoencephalography. Movement-related beta desynchronization (MRBD) in contralateral primary motor cortex was found to be significantly reduced in patients compared with control subjects. Within the patient group, smaller MRBD was seen in those with more motor impairment. We speculate that impaired modulation of beta oscillations during affected hand grip is detrimental to motor control, highlighting this as a potential therapeutic target in neurorehabilitation.

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Corticospinal Tract Microstructure Correlates With Beta Oscillatory Activity in the Primary Motor Cortex After Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.121.034344 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Robert Schulz ◽

Marlene Bönstrup ◽

Stephanie Guder ◽

Jingchun Liu ◽

Benedikt Frey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Cortex ◽

Fractional Anisotropy ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Supplementary Motor Area ◽

Premotor Cortex ◽

Motor Impairment ◽

Motor Area ◽

Oscillatory Activity ◽

Premotor Area ◽

Beta Power

Background and Purpose: Cortical beta oscillations are reported to serve as robust measures of the integrity of the human motor system. Their alterations after stroke, such as reduced movement-related beta desynchronization in the primary motor cortex, have been repeatedly related to the level of impairment. However, there is only little data whether such measures of brain function might directly relate to structural brain changes after stroke. Methods: This multimodal study investigated 18 well-recovered patients with stroke (mean age 65 years, 12 males) by means of task-related EEG and diffusion-weighted structural MRI 3 months after stroke. Beta power at rest and movement-related beta desynchronization was assessed in 3 key motor areas of the ipsilesional hemisphere that are the primary motor cortex (M1), the ventral premotor area and the supplementary motor area. Template trajectories of corticospinal tracts (CST) originating from M1, premotor cortex, and supplementary motor area were used to quantify the microstructural state of CST subcomponents. Linear mixed-effects analyses were used to relate tract-related mean fractional anisotropy to EEG measures. Results: In the present cohort, we detected statistically significant reductions in ipsilesional CST fractional anisotropy but no alterations in EEG measures when compared with healthy controls. However, in patients with stroke, there was a significant association between both beta power at rest ( P =0.002) and movement-related beta desynchronization ( P =0.003) in M1 and fractional anisotropy of the CST specifically originating from M1. Similar structure-function relationships were neither evident for ventral premotor area and supplementary motor area, particularly with respect to their CST subcomponents originating from premotor cortex and supplementary motor area, in patients with stroke nor in controls. Conclusions: These data suggest there might be a link connecting microstructure of the CST originating from M1 pyramidal neurons and beta oscillatory activity, measures which have already been related to motor impairment in patients with stroke by previous reports.

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The Influence of Primary Motor Cortex Inhibition on Upper Limb Impairment and Function in Chronic Stroke: A Multimodal Study

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/1545968319826052 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 130-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ronan A. Mooney ◽

Suzanne J. Ackerley ◽

Deshan K. Rajeswaran ◽

John Cirillo ◽

P. Alan Barber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Cortex ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Motor Impairment ◽

Intracortical Inhibition ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Gaba Concentration ◽

Chronic Stage ◽

And Function

Background. Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability owing largely to motor impairment and loss of function. After stroke, there may be abnormalities in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibitory function within primary motor cortex (M1), which may have implications for residual motor impairment and the potential for functional improvements at the chronic stage. Objective. To quantify GABA neurotransmission and concentration within ipsilesional and contralesional M1 and determine if they relate to upper limb impairment and function at the chronic stage of stroke. Methods. Twelve chronic stroke patients and 16 age-similar controls were recruited for the study. Upper limb impairment and function were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale and Action Research Arm Test. Threshold tracking paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols were used to examine short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition and late cortical disinhibition. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to evaluate GABA concentration. Results. Short-interval intracortical inhibition was similar between patients and controls ( P = .10). Long-interval intracortical inhibition was greater in ipsilesional M1 compared with controls ( P < .001). Patients who did not exhibit late cortical disinhibition in ipsilesional M1 were those with greater upper limb impairment and worse function ( P = .002 and P = .017). GABA concentration was lower within ipsilesional ( P = .009) and contralesional ( P = .021) M1 compared with controls, resulting in an elevated excitation-inhibition ratio for patients. Conclusion. These findings indicate that ipsilesional and contralesional M1 GABAergic inhibition are altered in this small cohort of chronic stroke patients. Further study is warranted to determine how M1 inhibitory networks might be targeted to improve motor function.

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Anodal tDCS over the Primary Motor Cortex Facilitates Long-Term Memory Formation Reflecting Use-Dependent Plasticity

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0127270 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. e0127270 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Orjon Rroji ◽

Kris van Kuyck ◽

Bart Nuttin ◽

Nicole Wenderoth

Keyword(s):

Motor Cortex ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Memory Formation ◽

Long Term Memory ◽

Anodal Tdcs ◽

Term Memory ◽

Dependent Plasticity

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NMDA Receptor-Mediated Motor Cortex Plasticity After 20 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhy160 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (7) ◽

pp. 2924-2931 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

M Wischnewski ◽

M Engelhardt ◽

M A Salehinejad ◽

D J L G Schutter ◽

M -F Kuo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Cortex ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Cortical Excitability ◽

Alternating Current ◽

Beta Oscillations ◽

Human Motor Cortex ◽

After Effects ◽

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation ◽

Human Motor ◽

Motor Cortex Plasticity

Abstract Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has been shown to modulate neural oscillations and excitability levels in the primary motor cortex (M1). These effects can last for more than an hour and an involvement of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) mediated synaptic plasticity has been suggested. However, to date the cortical mechanisms underlying tACS after-effects have not been explored. Here, we applied 20 Hz beta tACS to M1 while participants received either the NMDAR antagonist dextromethorphan or a placebo and the effects on cortical beta oscillations and excitability were explored. When a placebo medication was administered, beta tACS was found to increase cortical excitability and beta oscillations for at least 60 min, whereas when dextromethorphan was administered, these effects were completely abolished. These results provide the first direct evidence that tACS can induce NMDAR-mediated plasticity in the motor cortex, which contributes to our understanding of tACS-induced influences on human motor cortex physiology.

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1Hz rTMS Preconditioned by tDCS Over the Primary Motor Cortex in Parkinson’s Disease: Absence of Effect on Arm Lift and Hand Grip Force Control

Motor Control ◽

10.1123/mcj.16.2.284 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 284-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carsten Eggers ◽

Ulrike Grüner ◽

Mitra Ameli ◽

Anna-Sophia Sarfeld ◽

Dennis A. Nowak

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Motor Cortex ◽

Force Control ◽

Grip Force ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Grip Force Control ◽

Hand Grip

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Pre-movement changes in sensorimotor beta oscillations predict motor adaptation drive

10.1101/2020.01.13.903807 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Henry T Darch ◽

Nadia L Cerminara ◽

Iain D Gilchrist ◽

Richard Apps

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Motor Cortex ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Visuomotor Adaptation ◽

Beta Oscillations ◽

Scalp Eeg ◽

Eeg Recordings ◽

Beta Frequency ◽

Late Adaptation ◽

Adaptation Task

AbstractBeta frequency oscillations in scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recordings over the primary motor cortex have been associated with the preparation and execution of voluntary movements. Here, we test whether changes in beta frequency are related to the preparation of adapted movements in human, and whether such effects generalise to other species (cat). Eleven healthy adult humans performed a joystick visuomotor adaptation task. Beta (15-25Hz) scalp EEG signals recorded over the motor cortex during a pre-movement preparatory phase were, on average, significantly reduced in amplitude during early adaptation trials compared to baseline or late adaptation trials (p=0.01). The changes in beta were not related to measurements of reaction time or duration of the reach. We also recorded LFP activity within the primary motor cortex of three cats during a prism visuomotor adaptation task. Analysis of these signals revealed similar reductions in motor cortical LFP beta frequencies during early adaptation. This effect was also present when controlling for any influence of the reaction time and reaching duration. Overall, the results are consistent with a reduction in pre-movement beta oscillations predicting an increase in adaptive drive in upcoming task performance when motor errors are largest in magnitude and the rate of adaptation is greatest.

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Pallidal Deep-Brain Stimulation Disrupts Pallidal Beta Oscillations and Coherence with Primary Motor Cortex in Parkinson's Disease

Journal of Neuroscience ◽

10.1523/jneurosci.0431-18.2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 38 (19) ◽

pp. 4556-4568 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Doris D. Wang ◽

Coralie de Hemptinne ◽

Svjetlana Miocinovic ◽

Jill L. Ostrem ◽

Nicholas B. Galifianakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Deep Brain Stimulation ◽

Motor Cortex ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Beta Oscillations ◽

Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation ◽

Deep Brain

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Dendritic Spine Density and Dynamics of Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons of the Primary Motor Cortex Are Elevated With Aging

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhz124 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 767-777 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A M Davidson ◽

H Mejía-Gómez ◽

M Jacobowitz ◽

R Mostany

Keyword(s):

Motor Cortex ◽

Dendritic Spine ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Cortical Cell ◽

Motor Impairment ◽

Fine Motor ◽

Aged Mouse ◽

Spine Density ◽

Dendritic Spine Density

AbstractIt is well established that motor impairment often occurs alongside healthy aging, leading to problems with fine motor skills and coordination. Although previously thought to be caused by neuronal death accumulating across the lifespan, it is now believed that the source of this impairment instead stems from more subtle changes in neural connectivity. The dendritic spine is a prime target for exploration of this problem because it is the postsynaptic partner of most excitatory synapses received by the pyramidal neuron, a cortical cell that carries much of the information processing load in the cerebral cortex. We repeatedly imaged the same dendrites in young adult and aged mouse motor cortex over the course of 1 month to look for differences in the baseline state of the dendritic spine population. These experiments reveal increased dendritic spine density, without obvious changes in spine clustering, occurring at the aged dendrite. Additionally, aged dendrites exhibit elevated spine turnover and stabilization alongside decreased long-term spine survival. These results suggest that at baseline the aged motor cortex may exist in a perpetual state of relative instability and attempts at compensation. This phenotype of aging may provide clues for future targets of aging-related motor impairment remediation.

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Altered task-induced cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism underlies motor impairment in multiple sclerosis

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1177/0271678x20908356 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 182-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kathryn L West ◽

Dinesh K Sivakolundu ◽

Mark D Zuppichini ◽

Monroe P Turner ◽

Jeffrey S Spence ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Cerebral Blood Flow ◽

White Matter ◽

Motor Cortex ◽

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Motor Impairment ◽

Oxygen Metabolism ◽

Button Press

The neural mechanisms underlying motor impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unknown. Motor cortex dysfunction is implicated in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, but the role of neural–vascular coupling underlying BOLD changes remains unknown. We sought to independently measure the physiologic factors (i.e., cerebral blood flow (ΔCBF), cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (ΔCMRO2), and flow–metabolism coupling (ΔCBF/ΔCMRO2), utilizing dual-echo calibrated fMRI (cfMRI) during a bilateral finger-tapping task. We utilized cfMRI to measure physiologic responses in 17 healthy volunteers and 32 MS patients (MSP) with and without motor impairment during a thumb-button-press task in thumb-related (task-central) and surrounding primary motor cortex (task-surround) regions of interest (ROIs). We observed significant ΔCBF and ΔCMRO2 increases in all MSP compared to healthy volunteers in the task-central ROI and increased flow–metabolism coupling (ΔCBF/ΔCMRO2) in the MSP without motor impairment. In the task-surround ROI, we observed decreases in ΔCBF and ΔCMRO2 in MSP with motor impairment. Additionally, ΔCBF and ΔCMRO2 responses in the task-surround ROI were associated with motor function and white matter damage in MSP. These results suggest an important role for task-surround recruitment in the primary motor cortex to maintain motor dexterity and its dependence on intact white matter microstructure and neural–vascular coupling.

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