To test the feasibility of using changes in cortical plasticity as a neural proxy for motor adaptation and motor learning.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
fundamental research on healthy volunteers
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Motor evoked potentials peak to peak amplitudes are measured at specific time
points throughout the adaptation task.
Secondary outcome
not applicable
Background summary
Research on adaptation of reaching movements has provided strong behavioral
evidence of two processes underlying adaptation. A fast process, which responds
fast to movement errors (fast adaptation), but forgets fast. On the other hand,
there is a slow process, which adapts slow (slow adaptation) but also forgets
slowly. Both processes combined represent the net behavioral adaptation
patterns we see in adaptation tasks. A crucial question in this regard is,
which brain areas are involved in these processes.
In the current pilot study, we will investigate, whether we can identify one of
these processes in the primary motor cortex using single pulse transcranial
magnetic stimulation (TMS). In this study, TMS will be applied to assess
cortical excitability changes observed via motor evoked potentials (MEPs) at
set intervals during the adaptation task.
Study objective
To test the feasibility of using changes in cortical plasticity as a neural
proxy for motor adaptation and motor learning.
Study design
A within subject design. TMS will be applied over the left primary motor cortex
(M1) to assess MEP peak to peak amplitudes. Subjects will perform a reach
adaptation task. At various points throughout this task, MEPs are obtained to
track task induced excitability changes in left M1.
Study burden and risks
The currently proposed TMS paradigm is safe and does not carry any significant
risks. Safety guidelines will be followed to ascertain participants' safety.
Potential side-effects of TMS are tingling sensations under the electrodes,
muscle tension and headache. These are generally mild discomforts that respond
promptly to paracetamol (500mg). Volunteers can withdraw from the study at any
given time and there are no direct benefits for the participants. The risk that
the current application of the techniques as described in this protocol result
in an insult is negligible (Nietsche et al. Brain Stimulation 2008 1 206-223;
Rossi et al. Clin Neurophysiol. 2009 120 2008-39).
Montessorilaan 3
Nijmegen 6525 HR
NL
Montessorilaan 3
Nijmegen 6525 HR
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
18-35 years of age, right-handed
Exclusion criteria
Skin disease, metal in cranium, use of psychotropic drugs, including cannabis, XTC, amphetamines and cocaine, epilepsy or family history of epilepsy, history of closed-head injury, history of neurological or psychiatric disorders, medication use (i.e. benzodiazepines, antidepressants and neuroleptica), cardiac pacemaker, electronic hearing devices, pregnancy.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL55270.091.15 |