Paired associative
transcranial magnetic stimulation (PAS) has been shown to induce
long-term potentiation (LTP)-like or
long-term depression (LTD)-like change in excitability of human
primary motor cortex (M1), as probed by
motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude. In contrast, little is known about PAS effects on volitional motor cortical activity. In 10 healthy subjects, movement related cortical potentials (MRCP) were recorded to index volitional motor cortical activity during preparation of simple
thumb abduction (prime mover:
abductor pollicis brevis, APB) or
wrist extension movements (prime mover:
extensor carpi radialis, ECR). PAS(LTP) increased, PAS(LTD) decreased, and PAS(control) did not change MEP(APB), while MEP(ECR), not targeted by PAS, remained unchanged in all PAS conditions. PAS(LTP) decreased MRCP negativity during the late
Bereitschaftspotential (-500 to 0 ms before movement onset), only in the APB task, and predominantly over central
scalp electrodes contralateral to the
thumb movements. This effect
correlated negatively with the PAS(LTP) induced increase in MEP(APB). PAS(LTD) and PAS(control) did not affect MRCP amplitude. Findings indicate a specific interference of PAS with preparatory volitional motor cortical activity, suggestive of a net result caused by increased M1 excitability and disrupted effective connectivity between
premotor areas and M1.
Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
