Paired corticospinal-motoneuronal stimulation enhances ballistic motor learning and corticospinal plasticity in older adults.

ABSTRACT: Late adulthood is accompanied by declines in manual motor performance and reduced neuroplasticity, which can influence the effects of motor practice and learning. Corticomotoneuronal (CM) connectivity can be targeted non-invasively through individualized paired corticospinal-motoneuronal stimulation (PCMS) to prime ballistic motor learning in young adults. However, the priming effects of PCMS on motor output and ballistic motor learning in older adults remain unexplored. Part one of this study investigates ballistic motor performance and learning in young (20-30 years) and older (65-75 years) adults as within-session changes in peak acceleration of rapid index finger flexions and delayed retention 1 week later. The results demonstrate that older adults display lower maximal acceleration co

SUBMITTER: Bjorndal JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810219 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature