Intrinsic plasticity in human motor cortex

Abstract

Introduction: Neuronal plasticity in animal experiments is usually divided into synaptic and intrinsic mechanisms. While synaptic plasticity results from enhanced or weakened synaptic transmission mediated by NMDA receptors (long-term potentiation (LTP) or -depression), intrinsic plasticity is caused by changes in voltage-gated ion channels. There exists a well characterized correlate of synaptic plasticity in human motor cortex, so called LTP-like plasticity, which can be measured as changes of motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes. In this work we investigated whether a correlate for intrinsic plasticity is detectable in human motor cortex.