Systematic assessment of training-induced changes in corticospinal output to hand using frameless stereotaxic transcranial magnetic stimulation

Nat Protoc. 2007;2(7):1675-84. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2007.206.

Abstract

Measuring changes in the characteristics of corticospinal output has become a critical part of assessing the impact of motor experience on cortical organization in both the intact and injured human brain. In this protocol we describe a method for systematically assessing training-induced changes in corticospinal output that integrates volumetric anatomical MRI with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A TMS coil is sited to a target grid superimposed onto a 3D MRI of cortex using a stereotaxic neuronavigation system. Subjects are then required to exercise the first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle on two different tasks for a total of 30 min. The protocol allows for reliably and repeatedly detecting changes in corticospinal output to FDI muscle in response to brief periods of motor training.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Hand / innervation*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Motor Activity
  • Reference Values
  • Spinal Cord / physiology*
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*