fMRI and MRS measures of neuroplasticity in the pharyngeal motor cortex.

Emilia Michou, Steve Williams, Rishma Vidyasagar, Darragh Downey, Satish Mistry, Richard A E Edden, Shaheen Hamdy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Paired associative stimulation (PAS), is a novel non-invasive technique where two neural substrates are employed in a temporally coordinated manner in order to modulate cortico-motor excitability within the motor cortex (M1). In swallowing, combined pharyngeal electrical and transcranial-magnetic-stimulation induced beneficial neurophysiological and behavioural effects in healthy subjects and dysphagic stroke patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the whole-brain changes in neural activation during swallowing using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) following PAS application and in parallel assess associated GABA changes with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). METHODS: Healthy adults (n=11, 38±9years old) were randomised to receive real and sham PAS to the 'stronger' motor cortex pharyngeal representation, on 2 separate visits. Following PAS, event-related fMRI was performed to assess changes in brain activation in response to water and saliva swallowing and during rest. Data were analysed (SPM8) at P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalNeuroImage
Volume117
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Aug 2015

Keywords

  • Cortex
  • GABA
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Paired associative stimulation
  • Pharynx
  • Swallowing

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