Facilitative effect of high frequency subthreshold repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on complex sequential motor learning in humans.
We investigated the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the motor cortex, on the motor learning of sequential finger movements. Fifteen healthy subjects were trained to perform seven sequential finger movements of the left hand. Ten Hertz or sham rTMS with a resting motor threshold of 80% was applied to each subject during the task period. Stimulation with 10Hz rTMS produced a better learning performance in terms of target score and execution time than sham stimulation. We conclude that high-frequency rTMS may modulate the excitability of the motor cortex and facilitate the sequential motor learning process in normal subjects. These findings may provide a basis for the development of therapeutic applications of rTMS in patients with impaired motor skill.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Center for Clinical Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, 50 Ilwon-dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea. yunkim@smc.samsung.co.kr
Yun-Hee
YH
Kim
Ji-Won
JW
Park
Myoung-Hwan
MH
Ko
Sung Ho
SH
Jang
Peter K W
PK
Lee
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation