Motor Skill Acquisition Promotes Human Brain Myelin Plasticity

Author:

Lakhani Bimal1,Borich Michael R.2,Jackson Jacob N.13,Wadden Katie P.4,Peters Sue4,Villamayor Anica1,MacKay Alex L.35,Vavasour Irene M.5,Rauscher Alexander678,Boyd Lara A.18

Affiliation:

1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3

2. Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

3. Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3

4. Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3

5. Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3

6. Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3

7. Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3

8. Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3

Abstract

Experience-dependent structural changes are widely evident in gray matter. Using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), the neuroplastic effect of motor training on white matter in the brain has been demonstrated. However, in humans it is not known whether specific features of white matter relate to motor skill acquisition or if these structural changes are associated to functional network connectivity. Myelin can be objectively quantifiedin vivoand used to index specific experience-dependent change. In the current study, seventeen healthy young adults completed ten sessions of visuomotor skill training (10,000 total movements) using the right arm. Multicomponent relaxation imaging was performed before and after training. Significant increases in myelin water fraction, a quantitative measure of myelin, were observed in task dependent brain regions (left intraparietal sulcus [IPS] and left parieto-occipital sulcus). In addition, the rate of motor skill acquisition and overall change in myelin water fraction in the left IPS were negatively related, suggesting that a slower rate of learning resulted in greater neuroplastic change. This study provides the first evidence for experience-dependent changes in myelin that are associated with changes in skilled movements in healthy young adults.

Funder

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

Subject

Neurology (clinical),Neurology

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3