Role of Ipsilateral Motor Cortex in Executing Movements With Increasing Demand on Precision
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 80 |
| Updated: | 10/17/2018 |
| Start Date: | May 2011 |
| End Date: | March 26, 2015 |
Enhancing Stroke Recovery Through Cortical Stimulation: The Role of the Ipsilateral Motor Cortex in Executing Movements With Increasing Demand on Precision
It is well known that the motor area of one hemisphere of the brain (motor cortex) controls
the movement of the opposite of the body. However, it is not clear whether as the movement
becomes more complicated, the motor cortex of both hemispheres of the brain are involved.
Currently the role of the motor cortex on the same side of the body (referred to as
ipsilateral motor cortex) in hand performance remains controversial. The investigators
demonstrated previously in healthy subjects that transiently lowering the activity of
ipsilateral motor cortex improved the performance of the opposite hand. What is not know are
the mechanisms involved in these changes of behavior. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
is a device that allows the non- invasive stimulation of the brain. When brain is stimulated
repetitively at a very low rate and low intensity for about 15 minutes, the stimulated brain
area becomes less active. This effect lasts 10 minutes and is called a "transient artificial
lesion" as it mimicks the effects of transiently interfering with the function of the
stimulated brain area. In the present study the investigators will conduct experiments using
repetitive TMS to downregulate the activity of the motor area as in previous experiments and
measures its effect on activity of motor cortex of both hemispheres. The investigators will
study healthy subjects. It would be important to understand the effects in more detail for
the design of treatment strategies in patients after stroke, which will be a topic of future
studies.
the movement of the opposite of the body. However, it is not clear whether as the movement
becomes more complicated, the motor cortex of both hemispheres of the brain are involved.
Currently the role of the motor cortex on the same side of the body (referred to as
ipsilateral motor cortex) in hand performance remains controversial. The investigators
demonstrated previously in healthy subjects that transiently lowering the activity of
ipsilateral motor cortex improved the performance of the opposite hand. What is not know are
the mechanisms involved in these changes of behavior. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
is a device that allows the non- invasive stimulation of the brain. When brain is stimulated
repetitively at a very low rate and low intensity for about 15 minutes, the stimulated brain
area becomes less active. This effect lasts 10 minutes and is called a "transient artificial
lesion" as it mimicks the effects of transiently interfering with the function of the
stimulated brain area. In the present study the investigators will conduct experiments using
repetitive TMS to downregulate the activity of the motor area as in previous experiments and
measures its effect on activity of motor cortex of both hemispheres. The investigators will
study healthy subjects. It would be important to understand the effects in more detail for
the design of treatment strategies in patients after stroke, which will be a topic of future
studies.
Inclusion Criteria for Stroke Patients:
- Age 18-80
- Single cerebral ischemic infarction one month prior to entering study
- Affecting only one hemisphere as defined by MRI of the brain
- At the time of cerebral infarct a motor deficit of hand of Medical Research Council
Scale for Muscle Strength (MRC) of < 4- of wrist and finger extension/flexion movement
- Fugl Meyer score > 27/66 (motor domain, upper extremity)
- Ability to operate joystick at largest target level
- No other neurological disorder
- No intake of Central Nervous System (CNS) active drugs
- Ability to give informed consent
- Ability to meet criteria of inclusion experiment
- No major cognitive impairment
Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Subjects:
- Age 55-80 years with no neurological or psychiatric diseases
- Normal neurological examination
- Normal MRI of the brain
- Normal neuropsychological testing
- No intake of CNS active drugs that interfere with data collection
- No contraindication to TMS
- Ability to give informed consent
We found this trial at
1
site
1648 Pierce Dr NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
(404) 727-5640
Principal Investigator: Cathrin Buetefisch, MD, PhD
Phone: 678-369-3152
Emory University School of Medicine Emory University School of Medicine has 2,359 full- and part-time...
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