Exercising the Motor Cortex Using Brain Stimulation
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Muscle Loss
- Sponsor
- Lancaster University
- Enrollment
- 24
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) across time points
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 6 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The research project explores how non-invasive brain stimulation can be used to detect and ameliorate loss of muscle strength after inactivity. At present, there is a limited understanding of how to maintain muscle strength during inactivity. Increasing evidence indicates that reduction in muscle strength following immobilisation is associated with reduced cortical motor output. Therefore, the aim of the study is to test if brain stimulation, can maintain cortical motor output and ameliorate the loss of muscle strength following immobilisation.
Investigators
Helen Nuttall
Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience
Lancaster University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •right-handed
- •aged 18-30
- •healthy BMI
Exclusion Criteria
- •no primary muscle disorders
- •no open wounds or skin conditions to arms and hands
- •no neurological disorders or history of
- •no history of fainting/convulsions
- •no metal implanted into head/eye/neck
- •non-smoker
- •no arm, hand, fingers, shoulder injuries
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) across time points
Time Frame: 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours
MEPs are elicited via TMS to primary motor cortex and index the excitability of the motor pathway. They are recorded non-invasively from muscles using surface electrodes. At each time point of the study (0, 24, 48, 72 hours) record MEPs will be recorded pre and post-intervention from the hand muscles of the dominant (immobilised) arm, and non-dominant (non-immobilised arm), to evaluate changes in excitability. Specifically, the peak-to-peak value of the MEPs from the hand will be measured, which reflects the amplitude of the MEP response. The latency of the MEP to index neural conduction speed will also be measured.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in grip strength across time points(0, and 72 hours.)