Toward a more personalized motor function rehabilitation in Myotonic dystrophy type 1: The role of neuroplasticity

PLoS One. 2017 May 25;12(5):e0178470. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178470. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most prevalent adult muscular dystrophy, often accompanied by impairments in attention, memory, visuospatial and executive functions. Given that DM1 is a multi-system disorder, it requires a multi-disciplinary approach, including effective rehabilitation programs, focusing on the central nervous system neuroplasticity, in order to develop patient-tailored rehabilitative procedures for motor function recovery. Herein, we performed a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study aimed at investigating central motor conduction time, sensory-motor plasticity, and cortical excitability in 7 genetically defined DM1 patients. As compared to healthy individuals, DM1 patients showed a delayed central motor conduction time and an abnormal sensory-motor plasticity, with no alteration of cortical excitability. These findings may be useful to define patient-tailored motor rehabilitative programs.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Central Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / physiopathology*
  • Neuritis / physiopathology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Recovery of Function / physiology*
  • Sensorimotor Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.