title: tDCS over left M1 or DLPFC does not improve learning of a bimanual coordination task.
abstract: Previously, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) has resulted in improved performance in simple motor tasks. For a complex bimanual movement, studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation indicated the involvement of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as well as left M1. Here we investigated the relative effect of up-regulating the cortical function in left DLPFC and left M1 with tDCS. Participants practised a complex bimanual task over four days while receiving either of five stimulation protocols: anodal tDCS applied over M1, anodal tDCS over DLPFC, sham tDCS over M1, sham tDCS over DLPFC, or no stimulation. Performance was measured at the start and end of each training day to make a distinction between acquisition and consolidation. Although task performance improved over days, no significant difference between stimulation protocols was observed, suggesting that anodal tDCS had little effect on learning the bimanual task regardless of the stimulation sites and learning phase (acquisition or consolidation). Interestingly, cognitive performance as well as corticomotor excitability did not change following stimulation. Accordingly, we found no evidence for behavioural or neurophysiological changes following tDCS over left M1 or left DLPFC in learning a complex bimanual task.
authors: KU Leuven, Department of Kinesiology, Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.|Newcastle University, Institute of Neuroscience, Framlington Place, NE2 4HH, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Vancleef
authors: KU Leuven, Department of Kinesiology, Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.|University Hasselt, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Rehabilitation Research Center, Agoralaan building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors: Raf
authors: R
authors: Meesen
authors: KU Leuven, Department of Kinesiology, Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Stephan P
authors: SP
authors: Swinnen
authors: KU Leuven, Department of Kinesiology, Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.|Murdoch University, School of Psychology and Exercise Science, South Street Campus, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors: Hakuei
authors: H
authors: Fujiyama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult