scholarly journals A single session of submaximal grip strength training with or without high-definition anodal-TDCS produces no cross-education of maximal force

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-236
Author(s):  
Razie J. Alibazi ◽  
Ashlyn K. Frazer ◽  
Jamie Tallent ◽  
Alan J. Pearce ◽  
Tibor Hortobágyi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that cross-education of strength may be modulated by increased corticospinal excitability of the ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1) due to cross-activation. However, no study has examined the influence of bilateral TDCS of both M1 and how it affects corticospinal excitability, cross-activation and cross-education of muscle strength. METHOD: Twelve participants underwent three conditions in a randomized crossover design: (1) submaximal grip training and single-site unilateral-high definition-TDCS (2) submaximal grip training and bilateral anodal-high definition-TDCS, and (3) submaximal grip training and sham-high definition-TDCS. Submaximal gripping task involved a single-session of unilateral training which was squeezing the transducer at 70% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) grip force and performing four sets of 10 isometric contractions. Anodal-high definition-TDCS was applied for 15 min at 1.5 mA over right M1 or left and right M1s, and in a sham condition. Participants were pseudorandomized to receive either single-site or bilateral M1 stimulation with each session separated by one-week. Before and after each session, MVIC force of ipsilateral and contralateral gripping, ipsilateral stimulus-response curve, short-interval intracortical inhibition, cortical silent period, intracortical facilitation, long-interval intracortical inhibition, and cross-activation were measured. RESULTS: MVIC of the trained arm decreased by 43% (P=0.04) after training. We observed no changes in MVIC of the untrained hand and in any of the TMS measures (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: A single session of submaximal grip training with or without anodal-high definition-TDCS produces no cross-education of maximal grip force nor does it affect the excitability of the ipsilateral M1.

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1138-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Nakatsuka ◽  
Mohamed Nasreldin Thabit ◽  
Satoko Koganemaru ◽  
Ippei Nojima ◽  
Hidenao Fukuyama ◽  
...  

We can recognize handwritten letters despite the variability among writers. One possible strategy is exploiting the motor memory of orthography. By using TMS, we clarified the excitatory and inhibitory neural circuits of the motor corticospinal pathway that might be activated during the observation of handwritten letters. During experiments, participants looked at the handwritten or printed single letter that appeared in a random order. The excitability of the left and right primary motor cortex (M1) was evaluated by motor-evoked potentials elicited by single-pulse TMS. Short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) of the left M1 was evaluated using paired-pulse TMS. F waves were measured for the right ulnar nerve. We found significant reduction of corticospinal excitability only for the right hand at 300–400 msec after each letter presentation without significant changes in SICI. This suppression is likely to be of supraspinal origin, because of no significant alteration in F-wave amplitudes. These findings suggest that the recognition of handwritten letters may include the implicit knowledge of “writing” in M1. The M1 activation associated with that process, which has been shown in previous neuroimaging studies, is likely to reflect the active suppression of the corticospinal excitability.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eran Dayan ◽  
Virginia López-Alonso ◽  
Sook-Lei Liew ◽  
Leonardo G. Cohen

AbstractThe link between the local structure of the primary motor cortex and motor function has been well documented. However, motor function relies on a network of interconnected brain regions and the link between the structural properties characterizing these distributed brain networks and motor function remains poorly understood. Here, we examined whether distributed patterns of brain structure, extending beyond the primary motor cortex can help classify two forms of motor function: corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition. To this effect, we recorded high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging scans in 25 healthy volunteers. To measure corticospinal excitability and inhibition in the same volunteers we recorded motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) in a separate session. Support vector machine (SVM) pattern classification was used to identify distributed multivoxel gray matter areas, which distinguished subjects who had lower and higher MEPs and SICIs. We found that MEP and SICI classification could be predicted based on a widely distributed, largely non-overlapping pattern of voxels in the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital and cerebellar regions. Thus, structural properties distributed over the brain beyond the primary motor cortex relate to motor function.


2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2563-2573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ela B. Plow ◽  
David A. Cunningham ◽  
Corin Bonnett ◽  
Dina Gohar ◽  
Mehmed Bayram ◽  
...  

Muscle weakness associated with aging implicates central neural degeneration. However, role of the primary motor cortex (M1) is poorly understood, despite evidence that gains in strength in younger adults are associated with its adaptations. We investigated whether weakness of biceps brachii in aging analogously relates to processes in M1. We enrolled 20 young (22.6 ± 0.87 yr) and 28 old (74.79 ± 1.37 yr) right-handed participants. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, representation of biceps in M1 was identified. We examined the effect of age and sex on strength of left elbow flexion, voluntary activation of biceps, corticospinal excitability and output, and short-interval intracortical and interhemispheric inhibition. Interhemispheric inhibition was significantly exaggerated in the old ( P = 0.047), while strength tended to be lower ( P = 0.075). Overall, women were weaker ( P < 0.001). Processes of M1 related to strength or voluntary activation of biceps, but only in older adults. Corticospinal excitability was lower in weaker individuals ( r = 0.38), and corticospinal output, intracortical inhibition and interhemispheric inhibition were reduced too in individuals who poorly activated biceps ( r = 0.43, 0.54 and 0.38). Lower intracortical inhibition may reflect compensation for reduced corticospinal excitability, allowing weaker older adults to spread activity in M1 to recruit synergists and attempt to sustain motor output. Exaggerated interhemispheric inhibition, however, conflicts with previous evidence, potentially related to greater callosal damage in our older sample, our choice of proximal vs. distal muscle and differing influence of measurement of inhibition in rest vs. active states of muscle. Overall, age-specific relation of M1 to strength and muscle activation emphasizes that its adaptations only emerge when necessitated, as in a weakening neuromuscular system in aging.


2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 3371-3383 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Coxon ◽  
Cathy M. Stinear ◽  
Winston D. Byblow

Volitional inhibition is the voluntary prevention of a prepared movement. Here we ask whether primary motor cortex (M1) is a site of convergence of cortical activity associated with movement preparation and volitional inhibition. Volitional inhibition was studied by presenting a stop signal before execution of an anticipated response that requires a key lift to intercept a revolving dial. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were elicited in intrinsic hand muscles by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to assess corticomotor excitability and short interval intracortical inhibition (sICI) during task performance. The closer the stop cue was presented to the anticipated response, the harder it was for subjects to inhibit their response. Corticomotor pathway excitability was temporally modulated during volitional inhibition. Using subthreshold TMS, corticomotor excitability was reduced for Stop trials relative to Go trials from 140 ms after the cue. sICI was significantly greater for Stop trials compared with Go trials at a time that preceded the onset of muscle activity associated with the anticipated response. These results provide evidence that volitional inhibition is exerted at a cortical level and that inhibitory networks within M1 contribute to volitional inhibition of prepared action.


2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 2560-2569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranav Parikh ◽  
Marco Davare ◽  
Patrick McGurrin ◽  
Marco Santello

Control of digit forces for grasping relies on sensorimotor memory gained from prior experience with the same or similar objects and on online sensory feedback. However, little is known about neural mechanisms underlying digit force planning. We addressed this question by quantifying the temporal evolution of corticospinal excitability (CSE) using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) during two reach-to-grasp tasks. These tasks differed in terms of the magnitude of force exerted on the same points on the object to isolate digit force planning from reach and grasp planning. We also addressed the role of intracortical circuitry within primary motor cortex (M1) by quantifying the balance between short intracortical inhibition and facilitation using paired-pulse TMS on the same tasks. Eighteen right-handed subjects were visually cued to plan digit placement at predetermined locations on the object and subsequently to exert either negligible force (“low-force” task, LF) or 10% of their maximum pinch force (“high-force” task, HF) on the object. We found that the HF task elicited significantly smaller CSE than the LF task, but only when the TMS pulse coincided with the signal to initiate the reach. This force planning-related CSE modulation was specific to the muscles involved in the performance of both tasks. Interestingly, digit force planning did not result in modulation of M1 intracortical inhibitory and facilitatory circuitry. Our findings suggest that planning of digit forces reflected by CSE modulation starts well before object contact and appears to be driven by inputs from frontoparietal areas other than M1.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Rhys Painter ◽  
Simin Rahman ◽  
Woo Kim ◽  
Ummatul Siddique ◽  
Ashlyn Frazer ◽  
...  

Purpose: To determine whether corticospinal excitability (CSE) and inhibition are differentially modulated following high-volume light-load strength training compared to low-volume heavy-load strength training. We hypothesised high-volume light-load strength training would increase CSE and low-volume heavy-load strength training would reduce intracortical inhibition. Methods: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess CSE, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and silent period duration (SP) following high-volume light-load strength training (n = 9), low-volume heavy-load strength training (n = 8) compared to a control group (n = 10). Twenty-seven participants completed either (1) low-volume heavy-load strength training (80% one-repetition maximum [1RM]); (2) high-volume light-load strength training (20% 1-RM) or (3) a control condition. CSE, SICI and SP were measured using TMS at baseline and four time-points over a 60 min post-exercise period. Results: CSE increased rapidly (within 5 min post-exercise) for high-volume light-load strength training and remained elevated for 60 min compared to low-volume heavy-load strength training and control groups. There were no differences following any training for reduced SICI or SP. Conclusion: These results suggest that high-volume light-load strength training increases the excitability of corticospinal neurons and this increase is likely to be the predominant mechanism for increasing CSE for up to 60 min post training. It may be possible that a greater number of ST sessions are required to observe any differences in the excitability of the intrinsic inhibitory motor-network following high-volume light-load strength training and low-volume heavy-load strength training.


2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 1266-1272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Cabibel ◽  
Makii Muthalib ◽  
Wei-Peng Teo ◽  
Stephane Perrey

The crossed-facilitation (CF) effect refers to when motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) evoked in the relaxed muscles of one arm are facilitated by contraction of the opposite arm. The aim of this study was to determine whether high-definition transcranial direct-current stimulation (HD-tDCS) applied to the right primary motor cortex (M1) controlling the left contracting arm [50% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)] would further facilitate CF toward the relaxed right arm. Seventeen healthy right-handed subjects participated in an anodal and cathodal or sham HD-tDCS session of the right M1 (2 mA for 20 min) separated by at least 48 h. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to elicit MEPs and cortical silent periods (CSPs) from the left M1 at baseline and 10 min into and after right M1 HD-tDCS. At baseline, compared with resting, CF (i.e., right arm resting, left arm 50% MVIC) increased left M1 MEP amplitudes (+97%) and decreased CSPs (−11%). The main novel finding was that right M1 HD-tDCS further increased left M1 excitability (+28.3%) and inhibition (+21%) from baseline levels during CF of the left M1, with no difference between anodal and cathodal HD-tDCS sessions. No modulation of CSP or MEP was observed during sham HD-tDCS sessions. Our findings suggest that CF of the left M1 combined with right M1 anodal or cathodal HD-tDCS further facilitated interhemispheric interactions during CF from the right M1 (contracting left arm) toward the left M1 (relaxed right arm), with effects on both excitatory and inhibitory processing. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows modulation of the nonstimulated left M1 by right M1 HD-tDCS combined with crossed facilitation, which was probably achieved through modulation of interhemispheric interactions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simranjit K Sidhu

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique has been shown to increase the excitability of targeted brain area and influence endurance exercise performance. However, tDCS-mediated interaction between corticospinal excitability, GABAA mediated intracortical inhibition and endurance exercise performance remains understudied. In two separate sessions, twelve subjects performed fatigue cycling exercise (80% peak power output) sustained to task failure in a double-blinded design, following either ten minutes of anodal tDCS (atDCS) or sham. Corticospinal excitability and short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) were measured at baseline, post neuromodulation and post-exercise using paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in a resting hand muscle. There was a greater a decrease in SICI (P < 0.05) post fatigue cycling with atDCS priming compared to sham. Time to task failure (TTF) was significantly increased following atDCS compared to sham (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that atDCS applied over the motor cortex can augment cycling exercise performance; and this outcome may be mediated via a decrease in the excitability of GABAA inhibitory interneurons.


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