Improving consolidation by applying anodal transcranial direct current stimulation at primary motor cortex during repetitive practice.

Improving consolidation by applying anodal transcranial direct current stimulation at primary motor cortex during repetitive practice. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2020 Dec 18;:107365 Authors: Kim T, Kim H, Wright DL Abstract Engagement of primary motor cortex (M1) is important for successful consolidation of motor skills. Recruitment of M1 has been reported to be more extensive during interleaved compared to repetitive practice and this differential recruitment has been proposed to contribute to the long-term retention benefit associated with interleaved practice. The present study administered anodal direct current stimulation (tDCS) during repetitive practice in an attempt to increase M1 activity throughout repetitive practice with the goal to improve the retention performance of individuals exposed to this training format. Fifty-four participants were assigned to one of three experimental groups that included: interleaved-sham, repetitive-sham, and repetitive-anodal tDCS. Real or sham stimulation at M1 was administered during practice of three motor sequences for approximately 20-min. Performance in the absence of any stimulation was evaluated prior to practice, immediately after practice as well as at 6-hr, and 24-hr after practice was complete. As expected, for the sham conditions, interleaved as opposed repetitive practice resulted in superior offline gain. This was manifest as more rapid stabilization of performance after 6-hr as wel...
Source: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Neurobiol Learn Mem Source Type: research