Baclofen, a GABAb receptor agonist, impairs motor learning in healthy people and changes inhibitory dynamics in motor areas.
When people learn new movements, such as playing an instrument or a sport, levels of a brain chemical called GABA usually decrease in the brain area controlling movement. This study tested what happens when GABA activity is increased using the drug Baclofen. The results showed that higher GABA activity made it harder for participants to learn movement sequences and blocked the usual drop in GABA, showing that GABA directly affects motor learning.
Scientific Abstract
Similar content
Driving theta-gamma oscillations modulates extrasynaptic GABAergic tone: a tACS-TMS study
Dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation during a bimanual coordination task modulates functional connectivity between motor areas
Closed-loop beta stimulation enhances beta activity and motor behaviour
Modulation of motor cortical theta and gamma oscillations using phase-targeted, closed-loop optogenetic stimulation of local excitatory and inhibitory neurons
Baclofen, a GABAb receptor agonist, impairs motor learning in healthy people and changes inhibitory dynamics in motor areas.
When people learn new movements, such as playing an instrument or a sport, levels of a brain chemical called GABA usually decrease in the brain area controlling movement. This study tested what happens when GABA activity is increased using the drug Baclofen. The results showed that higher GABA activity made it harder for participants to learn movement sequences and blocked the usual drop in GABA, showing that GABA directly affects motor learning.
Scientific Abstract
Citation
DOI
Free Full Text at Europe PMC
PMC12580813Downloads