Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
Recent studies have identified new neurobiological biomarker (i.e. functional connectivity of the parietal cortex) of motor learning among healthy people. This enables to refine our current model of motor learning wherein specific cortical processes are key factors for motor acquisition. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that new technical approaches such as repetitive magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can efficiently influence this key factor. However, up to now, no rTMS studies have target this new biomarker. Therefore, the effect of rTMS are unknown. Hence, the investigators want to develop a new rTMS setup able to induce specific brain processes in healthy individuals that are likely to benefit. This has the potential to obtain critical information in order to improve treatment of motor re-learning in patients with neurological diseases.
Detailed description
Participants will participate in 1 session of neuronavigated (TMS Navigator, Localite, Schloss Birlinghoven, D-53757, Sankt Augustin, Germany ) iTBS (patterned form of rTMS) coupled with motor learning. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: real iTBS over parietal cortex and sham iTBS over the parietal cortex. One day before (Day1) and after the motor learning (Day 2), participants will undergo high-density 128-channel resting state electroencephalography (EEG) and motor evoked potential (MEP) in order to characterize the effects of rTMS on our markers of plasticity. Performance on the task will be measure immediately after learning (Day 2) and again 24h later (Day 3) in order to test for retention and offline consolidation (time and errors). The task will consist in realizing a computerized mirror-drawing task, in which right-left movements of the mouse were reversed on the screen.
Interventions
DEVICErTMS device
Participants will participate in 1 session of neuronavigated (TMS Navigator, Localite, Schloss Birlinghoven, D-53757, Sankt Augustin, Germany ) iTBS (patterned form of TMS) coupled with motor learning.
Sponsors
University of Geneva, Switzerland
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* man or woman aged between 18-40 years, * ability to give informed consent, * ability to follow protocol instructions, * normal or corrected-to-normal vision,
Exclusion criteria
* history of epileptic seizure (ci. TMS), * skull breach (ci. TMS), * metallic object in the brain (ci. TMS), * pacemaker (ci. TMS), * severe co-morbidity (ex, traumatic, rheumatologic, neurodegenerative diseases), * pregnancy.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Motor performance in consolidation test | after training (Day 3) | Difference in error rate and speed improvement in active and sham groups (learned task) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Resting state EEG connectivity in active and sham groups | Before (Day 1) and after training (Day 2) | Calculated from electroencephalography recordings |
| Motor Evoked Potential (MEPs) Amplitudes (peak to peak) | Before (Day 1) and after training (Day 2) | Difference in MEPs between active and sham groups. MEPs are generated when stimulation of the brain on the motor cortex (with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation \[TMS\]) causes the spinal cord and peripheral muscles to produce neuroelectrical signals. MEPs are typically measured in the hand muscles (Abductor pollicis brevis ). |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Motor performance in retention test | After training (Day 2) | Difference in error rate and speed improvement in active and sham groups (learned task) |
| Motor performance in transfer test | after training (Day 2 and Day 3) | Difference in error rate and speed improvement in active and sham groups (non-learned) task) |
Countries
Switzerland
Contacts
Primary ContactPierre Nicolo, PhD
Backup ContactPierre Nicolo, PhD
Outcome results
None listed