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Phase-dependent offline enhancement of human motor memory
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Phase-dependent offline enhancement of human motor memory

Sara J. Hussain, Mary K. Vollmer, Jessica Stimely, Gina Norato, Christoph Zrenner, Ulf Ziemann, Ethan R. Buch and Leonardo G. Cohen
Brain stimulation, Vol.14(4), pp.873-883
07/2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.05.009
PMID: 34048939
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2021.05.009View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Skill learning engages offline activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). Sensorimotor cortical activity oscillates between excitatory trough and inhibitory peak phases of the mu (8–12 Hz) rhythm. We recently showed that these mu phases influence the magnitude and direction of neuroplasticity induction within M1. However, the contribution of M1 activity during mu peak and trough phases to human skill learning has not been investigated. To evaluate the effects of phase-dependent TMS during mu peak and trough phases on offline learning of a newly-acquired motor skill. On Day 1, three groups of healthy adults practiced an explicit motor sequence learning task with their non-dominant left hand. After practice, phase-dependent TMS was applied to the right M1 during either mu peak or mu trough phases. The third group received sham TMS during random mu phases. On Day 2, all subjects were re-tested on the same task to evaluate offline learning. Subjects who received phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases showed increased offline skill learning compared to those who received phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases or sham TMS during random mu phases. Additionally, phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases elicited stronger whole-brain broadband oscillatory power responses than phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases. We conclude that sensorimotor mu trough phases reflect brief windows of opportunity during which TMS can strengthen newly-acquired skill memories. •Phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases enhanced offline skill learning more than identical TMS during mu peak phases.•TMS during mu trough phases elicited stronger whole-brain broadband power responses than TMS during mu peak phases.•Mu trough phases reflect brief windows of opportunity during which TMS can strengthen newly-acquired motor memories.
 Memory Motor learning Oscillations Phase Transcranial magnetic stimulation

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