Promoting plasticity in the somatosensory cortex to alter motor physiology

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Jones ◽  
Aimee Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Somatosensory Cortex ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Cortical Circuits ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Motor Physiology ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Clinical Populations

AbstractSomatosensory pathways and cortices contribute to the control of human movement. In humans, non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques to promote plasticity within somatosensory pathways and cortices have revealed potent effects on the neurophysiology within motor cortices. In this mini-review, we present evidence to indicate that somatosensory cortex is positioned to influence motor cortical circuits and as such, is an ideal target for plasticity approaches that aim to alter motor physiology and behavior in clinical populations.

scholarly journals Transcranial magnetic stimulation in exploring neurophysiology of cortical circuits and potential clinical implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 244-257
Author(s):  
Kaviraja Udupa
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Cortical Circuits ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Technical Details ◽  
Exciting Area

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, painless technique to stimulate the human brain. Although it has been used in clinical research both as an investigative tool and treatment modality for the past three decades, its use has been restricted to tertiary health centres or higher-end academic research institutions. The aim of this review is to popularise the concepts of this effective non-invasive brain stimulation technique, further facilitating its use both in research and clinical practice among clinical physiologists. In the first part of this article, a brief physiologic overview of TMS will be provided with basic as well as the basic technical details. This is followed by a discussion of TMS parameters that can be studied using single and paired pulses of TMS which could be used to investigate the altered excitability of cortical circuits. Finally, how rTMS and patterned TMS could be used to induce plasticity which, in turn, could be potentially used as therapeutic interventions in various neurological and psychiatric disorders will be illustrated. In each section of this article, diagnostic as well as therapeutic utilities of TMS in Neurology and Psychiatric disorders will be discussed. These discussions could not only facilitate the understanding of pathophysiology of mood and movement disorders but also to manage various neurological and psychiatric disorders with novel therapeutic options. In the end, few future directions, limitations of this technique and comparison with other techniques will be provided. I hopefully, this review would elicit some interest in physiologists to take up this exciting area of brain stimulation as a research subject and work further on understanding the functions of brain and use it effectively in the management of various brain-related disorders.

scholarly journals Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Tool to Investigate Motor Cortex Excitability in Sport

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 432
Author(s):  
Fiorenzo Moscatelli ◽  
Antonietta Messina ◽  
Anna Valenzano ◽  
Vincenzo Monda ◽  
Monica Salerno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Motor Cortex Excitability ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, since its introduction in 1985, has brought important innovations to the study of cortical excitability as it is a non-invasive method and, therefore, can be used both in healthy and sick subjects. Since the introduction of this cortical stimulation technique, it has been possible to deepen the neurophysiological aspects of motor activation and control. In this narrative review, we want to provide a brief overview regarding TMS as a tool to investigate changes in cortex excitability in athletes and highlight how this tool can be used to investigate the acute and chronic responses of the motor cortex in sport science. The parameters that could be used for the evaluation of cortical excitability and the relative relationship with motor coordination and muscle fatigue, will be also analyzed. Repetitive physical training is generally considered as a principal strategy for acquiring a motor skill, and this process can elicit cortical motor representational changes referred to as use-dependent plasticity. In training settings, physical practice combined with the observation of target movements can enhance cortical excitability and facilitate the process of learning. The data to date suggest that TMS is a valid technique to investigate the changes in motor cortex excitability in trained and untrained subjects. Recently, interest in the possible ergogenic effect of non-invasive brain stimulation in sport is growing and therefore in the future it could be useful to conduct new experiments to evaluate the impact on learning and motor performance of these techniques.

Somatic treatments

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond W. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Resistant Depression ◽  
Term Management

• Wake therapy, exercise and light therapy are non-invasive and clinically useful treatments.• Electroconvulsive therapy remains an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment for patients with severe, psychotic or medication-resistant depression.• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is an emerging treatment with evidence for acute efficacy, but with limited data about long-term management....

Facilitating Effect of 15-Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Tactile Perceptual Learning

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1577-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed A. Karim ◽  
Anne Schüler ◽  
Yiwen Li Hegner ◽  
Eva Friedel ◽  
Ben Godde
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Somatosensory Cortex ◽  
Discrimination Training ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Temporal Discrimination ◽  
Tactile Discrimination ◽  
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation ◽  
Functional Deficits

Recent neuroimaging studies have revealed that tactile perceptual learning can lead to substantial reorganizational changes of the brain. We report here for the first time that combining high-frequency (15 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) with tactile discrimination training is capable of facilitating operant perceptual learning. Most notably, increasing the excitability of SI by 15-Hz rTMS improved perceptual learning in spatial, but not in temporal, discrimination tasks. These findings give causal support to recent correlative data obtained by functional magnetic resonance imaging studies indicating a differential role of SI in spatial and temporal discrimination learning. The introduced combination of rTMS and tactile discrimination training may provide new therapeutical potentials in facilitating neuropsychological rehabilitation of functional deficits after lesions of the somatosensory cortex.

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