Alterations in Leg Muscle Glucose Uptake and Inter-Limb Asymmetry after a Single Session of tDCS in Four People with Multiple Sclerosis

Alexandra C. Fietsam; Justin R. Deters; Craig D. Workman; Laura L. Boles Ponto; Thorsten Rudroff

doi:10.3390/brainsci11101363

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Alterations in Leg Muscle Glucose Uptake and Inter-Limb Asymmetry after a Single Session of tDCS in Four People with Multiple Sclerosis

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Alterations in Leg Muscle Glucose Uptake and Inter-Limb Asymmetry after a Single Session of tDCS in Four People with Multiple Sclerosis

Alexandra C. Fietsam, Justin R. Deters, Craig D. Workman, Laura L. Boles Ponto and Thorsten Rudroff

Brain sciences, Vol.11(10), p.1363

10/01/2021

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101363

PMCID: PMC8533729

PMID: 34679427

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Abstract

Asymmetrical lower limb weakness is an early symptom and significant contributor to the progressive worsening of walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may effectively increase neural drive to the more-affected lower limb and, therefore, increase symmetrical activation. Four PwMS (1 female, age range: 27-57) underwent one session each of 3 mA or SHAM tDCS over the motor cortex corresponding to their more-affected limb followed by 20 min of treadmill walking at a self-selected speed. Two min into the treadmill task, the subjects were injected with the glucose analog [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Immediately after treadmill walking, the subjects underwent whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Glucose uptake (GU) values were compared between the legs, the spatial distribution of FDG was assessed to estimate glucose uptake heterogeneity (GUh), and GU asymmetry indices (AIs) were calculated. After tDCS, GU was altered, and GUh was decreased in various muscle groups in each subject. Additionally, AIs went from asymmetric to symmetric after tDCS in the subjects that demonstrated asymmetrical glucose uptake during SHAM. These results indicate that tDCS improved GU asymmetries, potentially from an increased neural drive and a more efficient muscle activation strategy of the lower limb in PwMS.

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Neurosciences

Neurosciences & Neurology

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Details

Title: Subtitle: Alterations in Leg Muscle Glucose Uptake and Inter-Limb Asymmetry after a Single Session of tDCS in Four People with Multiple Sclerosis
Creators: Alexandra C. Fietsam - University of Iowa
Justin R. Deters - University of Iowa
Craig D. Workman - University of Iowa
Laura L. Boles Ponto - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Thorsten Rudroff - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Brain sciences, Vol.11(10), p.1363
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101363
PMID: 34679427
PMCID: PMC8533729
NLM abbreviation: Brain Sci
ISSN: 2076-3425
eISSN: 2076-3425
Publisher: Mdpi
Number of pages: 16
Language: English
Date published: 10/01/2021
Academic Unit: Neurology; Radiology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Record Identifier: 9984259640002771

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