Plastic changes in interhemispheric inhibition with practice of a two-hand force production task: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study

Neurosci Lett. 2005 Feb 10;374(2):104-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.10.034.

Abstract

We studied the effects of practice of an unusual two-hand finger force production task on electromyographic and force responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Prior to practice, force production by a hand resulted in decreased TMS-induced responses in the other hand. After practice, fingers that were explicitly required to produce force during practice showed a significant drop in these inhibitory effects, while other fingers did not. We conclude that interhemispheric inhibitory projections can show plastic changes that favor the execution of a practiced task.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Electric Stimulation*
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / radiation effects
  • Female
  • Fingers / physiology
  • Fingers / radiation effects*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Linear Models
  • Practice, Psychological
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*