The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.

Aerobic exercise is associated with enhanced plasticity in the motor cortex of healthy individuals, but the effect of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity following a stroke is unknown.The aim of this study was to compare corticomotoneuronal excitability and neuroplasticity in the upper limb cortical...

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Main Authors: Kate Murdoch, Jonathan D Buckley, Michelle N McDonnell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2016-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4809484?pdf=render
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author Kate Murdoch
Jonathan D Buckley
Michelle N McDonnell
author_facet Kate Murdoch
Jonathan D Buckley
Michelle N McDonnell
author_sort Kate Murdoch
collection DOAJ
description Aerobic exercise is associated with enhanced plasticity in the motor cortex of healthy individuals, but the effect of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity following a stroke is unknown.The aim of this study was to compare corticomotoneuronal excitability and neuroplasticity in the upper limb cortical representation following a single session of low intensity lower limb cycling, or a rest control condition.We recruited chronic stroke survivors to take part in three experimental conditions in a randomised, cross-over design. Corticomotoneuronal excitability was examined using transcranial magnetic stimulation to elicit motor evoked potentials in the affected first dorsal interosseus muscle. Following baseline measures, participants either cycled on a stationary bike at a low exercise intensity for 30 minutes, or remained resting in a seated position for 30 minutes. Neuroplasticity within the motor cortex was then examined using an intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) paradigm. During the third experimental condition, participants cycled for the 30 minutes but did not receive any iTBS.Twelve participants completed the study. We found no significant effect of aerobic exercise on corticomotoneuronal excitability when compared to the no exercise condition (P > 0.05 for all group and time comparisons). The use of iTBS did not induce a neuroplastic-like response in the motor cortex with or without the addition of aerobic exercise.Our results suggest that following a stroke, the brain may be less responsive to non-invasive brain stimulation paradigms that aim to induce short-term reorganisation, and aerobic exercise was unable to induce or improve this response.
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spelling doaj.art-c5b9d3970278418ba74cad12678df5bb2022-12-21T23:51:43ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032016-01-01113e015237710.1371/journal.pone.0152377The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.Kate MurdochJonathan D BuckleyMichelle N McDonnellAerobic exercise is associated with enhanced plasticity in the motor cortex of healthy individuals, but the effect of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity following a stroke is unknown.The aim of this study was to compare corticomotoneuronal excitability and neuroplasticity in the upper limb cortical representation following a single session of low intensity lower limb cycling, or a rest control condition.We recruited chronic stroke survivors to take part in three experimental conditions in a randomised, cross-over design. Corticomotoneuronal excitability was examined using transcranial magnetic stimulation to elicit motor evoked potentials in the affected first dorsal interosseus muscle. Following baseline measures, participants either cycled on a stationary bike at a low exercise intensity for 30 minutes, or remained resting in a seated position for 30 minutes. Neuroplasticity within the motor cortex was then examined using an intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) paradigm. During the third experimental condition, participants cycled for the 30 minutes but did not receive any iTBS.Twelve participants completed the study. We found no significant effect of aerobic exercise on corticomotoneuronal excitability when compared to the no exercise condition (P > 0.05 for all group and time comparisons). The use of iTBS did not induce a neuroplastic-like response in the motor cortex with or without the addition of aerobic exercise.Our results suggest that following a stroke, the brain may be less responsive to non-invasive brain stimulation paradigms that aim to induce short-term reorganisation, and aerobic exercise was unable to induce or improve this response.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4809484?pdf=render
spellingShingle Kate Murdoch
Jonathan D Buckley
Michelle N McDonnell
The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.
PLoS ONE
title The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.
title_full The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.
title_fullStr The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.
title_short The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neuroplasticity within the Motor Cortex following Stroke.
title_sort effect of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity within the motor cortex following stroke
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4809484?pdf=render
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