Low intensity repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation modulates skilled motor learning in adult mice.

ABSTRACT: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is commonly used to modulate cortical plasticity in clinical and non-clinical populations. Clinically, rTMS is delivered to targeted regions of the cortex at high intensities (>1 T). We have previously shown that even at low intensities, rTMS induces structural and molecular plasticity in the rodent cortex. To determine whether low intensity rTMS (LI-rTMS) alters behavioural performance, daily intermittent theta burst LI-rTMS (120 mT) or sham was delivered as a priming or consolidating stimulus to mice completing 10 consecutive days of skilled reaching training. Relative to sham, priming LI-rTMS (before each training session), increased skill accuracy (~9%) but did not alter the rate of learning over time. In contrast, consolidating LI-rT

SUBMITTER: Tang AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5838100 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature