The role of GABA in human motor learning.

Bachtiar V
Johansen-Berg H

Scientific Abstract

GABA modification plays an important role in motor cortical plasticity. We therefore hypothesized that interindividual variation in the responsiveness of the GABA system to modification influences learning capacity in healthy adults. We assessed GABA responsiveness by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), an intervention known to decrease GABA. The magnitude of M1 GABA decrease induced by anodal tDCS correlated positively with both the degree of motor learning and the degree of fMRI signal change within the left M1 during learning. This study therefore suggests that the responsiveness of the GABAergic system to modification may be relevant to short-term motor learning behavior and learning-related brain activity.

Similar content

Preprint
Gann MA, Paparella IA, Zich C, Grigoras IF, Huertas-Penen S, Rieger SW, Thielscher A, Sharott A, Stagg CJ, Schwab BC

Dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation during a bimanual coordination task modulates functional connectivity between motor areas

The role of GABA in human motor learning.

Bachtiar V
Johansen-Berg H

Scientific Abstract

GABA modification plays an important role in motor cortical plasticity. We therefore hypothesized that interindividual variation in the responsiveness of the GABA system to modification influences learning capacity in healthy adults. We assessed GABA responsiveness by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), an intervention known to decrease GABA. The magnitude of M1 GABA decrease induced by anodal tDCS correlated positively with both the degree of motor learning and the degree of fMRI signal change within the left M1 during learning. This study therefore suggests that the responsiveness of the GABAergic system to modification may be relevant to short-term motor learning behavior and learning-related brain activity.

Citation

2011. Curr Biol, 21(6):480-4.

DOI

10.1016/j.cub.2011.01.069

Free Full Text at Europe PMC

PMC3063350

Similar content

Preprint
Gann MA, Paparella IA, Zich C, Grigoras IF, Huertas-Penen S, Rieger SW, Thielscher A, Sharott A, Stagg CJ, Schwab BC

Dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation during a bimanual coordination task modulates functional connectivity between motor areas