1
|
Van Hoornweder S, Geraerts M, Verstraelen S, Nuyts M, Caulfield KA, Meesen R. Differences in scalp-to-cortex tissues across age groups, sexes and brain regions: Implications for neuroimaging and brain stimulation techniques. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 138:45-62. [PMID: 38531217 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Aging affects the scalp-to-cortex distance (SCD) and the comprising tissues. This is crucial for noninvasive neuroimaging and brain stimulation modalities as they rely on traversing from the scalp to the cortex or vice versa. The specific relationship between aging and these tissues has not been comprehensively investigated. We conducted a study on 250 younger and older adults to examine age-related differences in SCD and its constituent tissues. We identified region-specific differences in tissue thicknesses related to age and sex. Older adults exhibit larger SCD in the frontocentral regions compared to younger adults. Men exhibit greater SCD in the inferior scalp regions, while women show similar-to-greater SCD values in regions closer to the vertex compared to men. Younger adults and men have thicker soft tissue layers, whereas women and older adults exhibit thicker compact bone layers. CSF is considerably thicker in older adults, particularly in men. These findings emphasize the need to consider age, sex, and regional differences when interpreting SCD and its implications for noninvasive neuroimaging and brain stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sybren Van Hoornweder
- REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Marc Geraerts
- REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Verstraelen
- REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Marten Nuyts
- REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kevin A Caulfield
- Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Raf Meesen
- REVAL - Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xia X, Wang D, Wang L, Li X, Chen R, Liu Y, Zhang J. Connectivity from ipsilateral and contralateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to the active primary motor cortex during approaching-avoiding behavior. Cortex 2022; 157:155-166. [PMID: 36327745 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Automatic action tendency is reflected by a fast reaction to approach positive stimulus and to avoid negative stimulus (automatic behaviors), while a slow reaction to approach negative stimulus and avoid positive stimulus (controlled behaviors). The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is involved in the modulation of the automatic action tendency; however, it remains unclear whether DLPFC modulates the behavior through motor inhibition or excitation, as well as the exact timing of the modulation. We used paired-pulse, dual-site TMS protocols to investigate the connectivity between left/right DLPFC and the left primary motor cortex (M1) during the manikin task performed with the right hand. For the behavioral data, the results from reaction time (RT) and premotor time (PMT), which represents the beginning of finger movements, of the approaching-avoiding behavior in both experiments showed a shorter duration for automatic behavior compared to the controlled behavior. There was stronger facilitation of the left DLPFC-left M1 connectivity at interstimulus-interval of 25 ms in controlled behavior compared to automatic behavior (positive-approaching vs. positive-avoiding: P = .002; negative-avoiding vs. negative-approaching: P = .017). The right DLPFC-left M1 connectivity did not change with the task. The present study confirmed the automatic action tendency from both reaction time and the premotor time. During the right-handed task, the DLPFC contralateral but not ipsilateral to the effector could facilitate the left M1 to speed up the execution of the controlled behavior through a polysynaptic pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Xia
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dandan Wang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Linqi Wang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangming Li
- Shanghai Suiti Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Robert Chen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yu Liu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cao N, Pi Y, Qiu F, Wang Y, Xia X, Liu Y, Zhang J. Plasticity changes in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex associated with procedural sequence learning are hemisphere-specific. Neuroimage 2022; 259:119406. [PMID: 35752417 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticocortical neuroplastic changes from higher-order cortices to primary motor cortex (M1) have been described for procedural sequence learning. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays critical roles in cognition, including in motor learning and memory. However, neuroplastic changes in the DLPFC and their influence on M1 and on motor learning are not well understood. The present study examined bilateral DLPFC-M1 changes in plasticity induced by procedural motor sequence learning in a serial reaction time task. DLPFC plasticity induced by procedural sequence learning was examined by comparing before vs. after training assessments of ipsilateral/contralateral DLPFC-M1 interactions between sequence order and random order trials performed using either the left or right hand. Intra-hemispheric (inter-stimulus interval [ISI] = 10 ms) and inter-hemispheric (ISI = 10 or 50 ms) DLPFC-M1 interactions and single-pulse motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The reaction times of participants measured during motor training were faster for sequence learning than for random learning with either hand. Paired-pulse TMS induced DLPFC-M1 interactions that were disinhibited after motor sequence learning, especially for left DLPFC-left M1 interactions with right hand task performance and for left DLPFC-right M1 interactions with left hand task performance. These findings indicate that motor sequence learning induces neuroplastic changes to enhance DLPFC-M1 interactions. This manifestation of plasticity showed hemispheric specificity, favoring the left DLPFC. DLPFC plasticity may be a useful index of DLPFC function and may be a treatment target for enhancing DLPFC function and motor learning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Cao
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China; Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yanling Pi
- Shanghai Punan Hospital of Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Fanghui Qiu
- School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Xia
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Impact of interhemispheric inhibition on bimanual movement control in young and old. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:687-701. [PMID: 35020040 PMCID: PMC8858275 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06258-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Interhemispheric interactions demonstrate a crucial role for directing bimanual movement control. In humans, a well-established paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigm enables to assess these interactions by means of interhemispheric inhibition (IHI). Previous studies have examined changes in IHI from the active to the resting primary motor cortex during unilateral muscle contractions; however, behavioral relevance of such changes is still inconclusive. In the present study, we evaluated two bimanual tasks, i.e., mirror activity and bimanual anti-phase tapping, to examine behavioral relevance of IHI for bimanual movement control within this behavioral framework. Two age groups (young and older) were evaluated as bimanual movement control demonstrates evident behavioral decline in older adults. Two types of IHI with differential underlying mechanisms were measured; IHI was tested at rest and during a motor task from the active to the resting primary motor cortex. Results demonstrate an association between behavior and short-latency IHI in the young group: larger short-latency IHI correlated with better bimanual movement control (i.e., less mirror activity and better bimanual anti-phase tapping). These results support the view that short-latency IHI represents a neurophysiological marker for the ability to suppress activity of the contralateral side, likely contributing to efficient bimanual movement control. This association was not observed in the older group, suggesting age-related functional changes of IHI. To determine underlying mechanisms of impaired bimanual movement control due to neurological disorders, it is crucial to have an in-depth understanding of age-related mechanisms to disentangle disorder-related mechanisms of impaired bimanual movement control from age-related ones.
Collapse
|
5
|
Perturbation of cortical activity elicits regional and age-dependent effects on unconstrained reaching behavior: a pilot study. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:3585-3600. [PMID: 34591126 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06228-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Contributions from premotor and supplementary motor areas to reaching behavior in aging humans are not well understood. The objective of these experiments was to examine effects of perturbations to specific cortical areas on the control of unconstrained reaches against gravity by younger and older adults. Double-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied to scalp locations targeting primary motor cortex (M1), dorsal premotor area (PMA), supplementary motor area (SMA), or dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Stimulation was intended to perturb ongoing activity in the targeted cortical region before or after a visual cue to initiate moderately paced reaches to one of three vertical target locations. Regional effects were observed in movement amplitude both early and late in the reach. Perturbation of PMA increased reach distance before the time of peak velocity to a greater extent than all other regions. Reaches showed greater deviation from a straight-line path around the time of peak velocity and greater overall curvature with perturbation of PMA and M1 relative to SMA and DLPFC. The perturbation increased positional variability of the reach path at the time of peak velocity and the time elapsing after peak velocity. Although perturbations had stronger effects on reaches by younger subjects, this group exhibited less reach path variability at the time of peak velocity and required less time to adjust the movement trajectory thereafter. These findings support the role of PMA in visually guided reaching and suggest an age-related change in sensorimotor processing, possibly due to a loss of cortical inhibitory control.
Collapse
|
6
|
Verstraelen S, van Dun K, Depestele S, Van Hoornweder S, Jamil A, Ghasemian-Shirvan E, Nitsche MA, Van Malderen S, Swinnen SP, Cuypers K, Meesen RLJ. Dissociating the causal role of left and right dorsal premotor cortices in planning and executing bimanual movements - A neuro-navigated rTMS study. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:423-434. [PMID: 33621675 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) is a key region in bimanual coordination. However, causal evidence linking PMd functionality during motor planning and execution to movement quality is lacking. OBJECTIVE We investigated how left (PMdL) and right PMd (PMdR) are causally involved in planning and executing bimanual movements, using short-train repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Additionally, we explored to what extent the observed rTMS-induced modulation of performance could be explained by rTMS-induced modulation of PMd-M1 interhemispheric interactions (IHI). METHODS Twenty healthy adults (mean age ± SD = 22.85 ± 3.73 years) participated in two sessions, in which either PMdL or PMdR was targeted with rTMS (10 Hz) in a pseudo-randomized design. PMd functionality was transiently modulated during the planning or execution of a complex bimanual task, whereby the participant was asked to track a moving dot by controlling two dials. The effect of rTMS on several performance measures was investigated. Concurrently, rTMS-induced modulation of PMd-M1 IHI was measured using a dual-coil paradigm, and associated with the rTMS-induced performance modulation. RESULTS rTMS over PMdL during planning increased bilateral hand movement speed (p = 0.03), thereby improving movement accuracy (p = 0.02). In contrast, rTMS over PMdR during both planning and execution induced deterioration of movement stability (p = 0.04). rTMS-induced modulation of PMd-M1 IHI during planning did not predict rTMS-induced performance modulation. CONCLUSION The current findings support the growing evidence on PMdL dominance during motor planning, as PMdL was crucially involved in planning the speed of each hand, subserving bimanual coordination accuracy. Moreover, the current results suggest that PMdR fulfills a role in continuous adjustment processes of movement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Verstraelen
- Neuroplasticity and Movement Control Research Group, Rehabilitation Research Institute (REVAL), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Kim van Dun
- Neuroplasticity and Movement Control Research Group, Rehabilitation Research Institute (REVAL), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Siel Depestele
- Neuroplasticity and Movement Control Research Group, Rehabilitation Research Institute (REVAL), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sybren Van Hoornweder
- Neuroplasticity and Movement Control Research Group, Rehabilitation Research Institute (REVAL), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Asif Jamil
- Neuroplasticity and Movement Control Research Group, Rehabilitation Research Institute (REVAL), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ensiyeh Ghasemian-Shirvan
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Shanti Van Malderen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Cuypers
- Neuroplasticity and Movement Control Research Group, Rehabilitation Research Institute (REVAL), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raf L J Meesen
- Neuroplasticity and Movement Control Research Group, Rehabilitation Research Institute (REVAL), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maes C, Cuypers K, Heise KF, Edden RAE, Gooijers J, Swinnen SP. GABA levels are differentially associated with bimanual motor performance in older as compared to young adults. Neuroimage 2021; 231:117871. [PMID: 33607278 PMCID: PMC8275071 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Although gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is of particular importance for efficient motor functioning, very little is known about the relationship between regional GABA levels and motor performance. Some studies suggest this relation to be subject to age-related differences even though literature is scarce. To clarify this matter, we employed a comprehensive approach and investigated GABA levels within young and older adults across multiple motor tasks as well as multiple brain regions. Specifically, 30 young and 30 older adults completed a task battery of three different bimanual tasks. Furthermore, GABA levels were obtained within bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1), bilateral dorsal premotor cortex, the supplementary motor area and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results indicated that older adults, as compared to their younger counterparts, performed worse on all bimanual tasks and exhibited lower GABA levels in bilateral SM1 only. Moreover, GABA levels across the motor network and DLPFC were differentially associated with performance in young as opposed to older adults on a manual dexterity and bimanual coordination task but not a finger tapping task. Specifically, whereas higher GABA levels related to better manual dexterity within older adults, higher GABA levels predicted poorer bimanual coordination performance in young adults. By determining a task-specific and age-dependent association between GABA levels across the cortical motor network and performance on distinct bimanual tasks, the current study advances insights in the role of GABA for motor performance in the context of aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celine Maes
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
| | - Koen Cuypers
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium; REVAL Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Kirstin-Friederike Heise
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russel H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Jolien Gooijers
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Tervuursevest 101 box, Leuven 1501 3001, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Levin O, Netz Y, Ziv G. Behavioral and Neurophysiological Aspects of Inhibition-The Effects of Acute Cardiovascular Exercise. J Clin Med 2021; 10:E282. [PMID: 33466667 PMCID: PMC7828827 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes behavioral and neurophysiological aspects of inhibitory control affected by a single bout of cardiovascular exercise. The review also examines the effect of a single bout of cardiovascular exercise on these processes in young adults with a focus on the functioning of prefrontal pathways (including the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and elements of the prefrontal-basal ganglia pathways). Finally, the review offers an overview on the potential effects of cardiovascular exercise on GABA-ergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the adult brain and propose mechanisms or processes that may mediate these effects. The main findings show that a single bout of cardiovascular exercise can enhance inhibitory control. In addition, acute exercise appears to facilitate activation of prefrontal brain regions that regulate excitatory and inhibitory pathways (specifically but not exclusively the prefrontal-basal-ganglia pathways) which appear to be impaired in older age. Based on the reviewed studies, we suggest that future work examine the beneficial effects of exercise on the inhibitory networks in the aging brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oron Levin
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Kinesiology, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Yael Netz
- The Academic College at Wingate, Netanya 4290200, Israel;
| | - Gal Ziv
- The Academic College at Wingate, Netanya 4290200, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|