Abstract
Motor training can induce profound physiological plasticity within primary motor cortex, including changes in corticospinal output and motor map topography. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we show that training-dependent increases in the amplitude of motor-evoked potentials and motor map reorganization are reduced in healthy subjects with a val66met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF), as compared to subjects without the polymorphism. The results suggest that BDNF is involved in mediating experience-dependent plasticity of human motor cortex.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Amino Acid Substitution / genetics*
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Brain Mapping
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
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Evoked Potentials, Motor / genetics
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Female
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Genotype
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Humans
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Learning / physiology
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Male
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Methionine / genetics
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Motor Cortex / anatomy & histology
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Motor Cortex / physiology*
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Motor Skills / physiology*
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Movement / physiology
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Nerve Regeneration / genetics
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Neuronal Plasticity / genetics*
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Neuropsychological Tests
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Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
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Recovery of Function / genetics
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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Valine / genetics
Substances
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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Methionine
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Valine