Abstract
The aim of this randomized sham-controlled study was to examine the impact of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) during movement observation on subsequent execution-related motor cortex activity. Thirty healthy participants received sham or real ctDCS (1 mA) over the left M1 for 10 minutes, respectively. The participants observed a video showing repeated button pressing tasks of the right hand during the sham or real ctDCS, followed by performance of these tasks by the right hand. Motor-evoked potentials (MEP) were recorded from the resting right first dorsal interosseous muscle before movement observation during the sham or real ctDCS, immediately after observation of actions, and after subsequent movement execution. The results of the ANOVA showed a significant main effect on the group (F1,28 = 4.60, p = 0.041) and a significant interaction between time and the group (F2,56 = 5.34, p = 0.008). As revealed by respective post hoc tests, ctDCS induced a significant reduction of MEP amplitudes in connection with movement observation (p = 0.026, Cohen’s d = 0.861) and after subsequent movement execution (p = 0.018, Cohen’s d = 0.914) in comparison with the sham stimulation. It is concluded that ctDCS during movement observation was effective in terms of modulating motor cortex excitability. Moreover, it subsequently influenced execution-related motor cortex activity. This indicates a possible application for rehabilitative treatment in syndromes with pathologically enhanced cortical activity.
Highlights
Movement observation or execution-related cortical networks are activated when individuals are conducting an action or observe the identical movement performed by another individual
With respect to treatment of brain diseases associated with pathological enhancement of cortical activity or excitability via cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), some studies have reported that cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) applied over an epileptogenic focus reduces epileptic EEG abnormalities [11,12] and seizure frequency in epilepsy [13]
Furuya et al describe that ctDCS applied over the affected motor cortex in musicians cramp, combined with anodal tDCS over the contralateral motor cortex and bimanual finger movements, reduces dystonic symptoms in these patients, most probably due to a reduction of pathologically enhanced activity of the affected M1 [18]
Summary
Movement observation or execution-related cortical networks are activated when individuals are conducting an action or observe the identical movement performed by another individual. These networks include the primary somatosensory cortex, primary motor cortex (M1), ventral premotor cortex and inferior frontal gyrus [1,2]. With respect to treatment of brain diseases associated with pathological enhancement of cortical activity or excitability via cathodal tDCS, some studies have reported that ctDCS applied over an epileptogenic focus reduces epileptic EEG abnormalities [11,12] and seizure frequency in epilepsy [13]. Furuya et al describe that ctDCS applied over the affected motor cortex in musicians cramp, combined with anodal tDCS over the contralateral motor cortex and bimanual finger movements, reduces dystonic symptoms in these patients, most probably due to a reduction of pathologically enhanced activity of the affected M1 [18]
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