Altered motor system function in post-concussion syndrome as assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation
Altered motor system function in post-concussion syndrome as assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation
Blog Article
Objective: It is unclear why specific individuals incur chronic symptoms following a concussion.This exploratory research aims to identify and characterize any neurophysiological differences that may exist in motor cortex function in Hood Scoops post-concussion syndrome (PCS).Methods: Fifteen adults with PCS and 13 healthy, non-injured adults were tested.
All participants completed symptom questionnaires, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure intracortical and transcallosal excitability and inhibition in the dominant motor cortex.Results: Cortical silent period (p = 0.02, g = 0.
96) and ipsilateral silent period (p = 0.04, g = Jurassic Park 0.78) were shorter in the PCS group compared to the control group which may reflect reduced GABA-mediated inhibition in PCS.
Furthermore, increased corticomotor excitability was observed in the left hemisphere but not the right hemisphere.Conclusions: These data suggest that persistent neurophysiological differences are present in those with PCS.The exact contributing factors to such changes remain to be investigated by future studies.
Significance: This study provides novel evidence of lasting neurophysiological changes in PCS.