title: Is motor learning mediated by tDCS intensity?
abstract: Although tDCS has been shown to improve motor learning, previous studies reported rather small effects. Since physiological effects of tDCS depend on intensity, the present study evaluated this parameter in order to enhance the effect of tDCS on skill acquisition. The effect of different stimulation intensities of anodal tDCS (atDCS) was investigated in a double blind, sham controlled crossover design. In each condition, thirteen healthy subjects were instructed to perform a unimanual motor (sequence) learning task. Our results showed (1) a significant increase in the slope of the learning curve and (2) a significant improvement in motor performance at retention for 1.5 mA atDCS as compared to sham tDCS. No significant differences were reported between 1 mA atDCS and sham tDCS; and between 1.5 mA atDCS and 1 mA atDCS.
authors.affiliation: BIOMED-Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cuypers
authors.forename: Daphnie J F
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Leenus
authors.forename: Femke E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nitsche
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wenderoth
authors.forename: Raf L J
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Meesen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult