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Reduced motor cortex plasticity following inhibitory rTMS in older adults

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dc.contributor.authorTodd, G.
dc.contributor.authorKimber, T.
dc.contributor.authorRidding, M.
dc.contributor.authorSemmler, J.
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractObjective Ageing is accompanied by diminished practice-dependent plasticity. We investigated the effect of age on another plasticity inducing paradigm, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Methods Healthy young (n = 15; 25 ± 4 years) and old (n = 15; 67 ± 5 years) adults participated in two experiments. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured in the target muscle (first dorsal interosseus, FDI) and a remote muscle (abductor digiti minimi) during a set of single stimuli. Subjects then received real or sham inhibitory rTMS (intermittent subthreshold trains of 6 Hz stimulation for 10 min). MEPs were measured for 30 min after rTMS. Results In young adults, MEPs in the target FDI muscle were ~15% smaller in the real rTMS experiment than in the sham rTMS experiment (P < 0.026). In old adults, FDI MEP size did not differ between experiments. Conclusions Advancing age is associated with reduced efficacy of inhibitory rTMS. Significance Objective Ageing is accompanied by diminished practice-dependent plasticity. We investigated the effect of age on another plasticity inducing paradigm, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Methods Healthy young (n = 15; 25 ± 4 years) and old (n = 15; 67 ± 5 years) adults participated in two experiments. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured in the target muscle (first dorsal interosseus, FDI) and a remote muscle (abductor digiti minimi) during a set of single stimuli. Subjects then received real or sham inhibitory rTMS (intermittent subthreshold trains of 6 Hz stimulation for 10 min). MEPs were measured for 30 min after rTMS. Results In young adults, MEPs in the target FDI muscle were ~15% smaller in the real rTMS experiment than in the sham rTMS experiment (P < 0.026). In old adults, FDI MEP size did not differ between experiments. Conclusions Advancing age is associated with reduced efficacy of inhibitory rTMS. Significance This work has important implications for the potential therapeutic use of rTMS in stroke and neurological disease.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityGabrielle Todd, Thomas E. Kimber, Michael C. Ridding and John G. Semmler
dc.identifier.citationClinical Neurophysiology, 2010; 121(3):441-447
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.clinph.2009.11.089
dc.identifier.issn1388-2457
dc.identifier.issn1872-8952
dc.identifier.orcidRidding, M. [0000-0001-5657-9136]
dc.identifier.orcidSemmler, J. [0000-0003-0260-8047]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/57641
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier Sci Ireland Ltd
dc.relation.grant399210
dc.rightsCopyright 2009 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2009.11.089
dc.subjectAge
dc.subjectRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
dc.subjectMotor cortex
dc.subjectExcitability
dc.subjectHuman
dc.titleReduced motor cortex plasticity following inhibitory rTMS in older adults
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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