Protocol Number: 06-N-0095

Title:

Contribution of Interhemispheric Inhibition to Motor Learning

Number:

06-N-0095

Summary:

This study will examine how the two sides of the brain interact when learning precision hand movements. Both sides of the brain are active when a person performs an accurate hand movement. This study will look at the extent to which the two brain hemispheres interact when learning accurate hand movements.

Healthy, right-handed normal volunteers 18 - 40 years of age may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a clinical and neurological examination.

Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups - precision or non-precision hand movements. All participants undergo the following procedures:

-Force precision task: Subjects are press a small device between the thumb and index finger. The force produced with the fingertips is translated onto a computer screen. Subjects track a white line passing on the screen with their fingertips.

-Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A wire coil is held to the subject's scalp. A brief electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. During the stimulation, the subject may be asked to tense certain muscles slightly or perform other simple actions. The stimulation may cause a twitch in muscles of the face, arm, or leg, and the subject may hear a click and feel a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil. The effect of paired-pulse TMS on the muscles is detected with electrodes taped to the skin on the arms or legs.

-Surface electromyography (EMG): This test measures the electrical activity of muscles. For this test, electrodes are filled with a gel and taped to the skin over the muscle to be tested.

The study involves six sessions. Sessions 1-5 are on consecutive days; session 6 is one week after session 5.

-Session 1: Familiarization with the motor task and baseline measurements, including error rate, EMG, and paired-pulse TMS

-Session 2: Training in the motor task and repeat measurements as in session 1

-Session 3: Training and measurements as in session 2

-Session 4: Training and measurements as in session 2

-Session 5: Training and measurements as in session 2

-Session 6: Measurements only

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Healthy volunteers will be eligible for the study if they are:

-are between the ages of 18-40 years;

-are right-handed;

-are able to perform tasks required by the study;

-are willing and able to give consent

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Healthy volunteers will not be eligible for the study if they:

-are unable to perform the tasks;

-are left-handed;

-have a history of neurological and psychiatric illness, or of alcohol or drug abuse or severe language disturbances or serious cognitive deficits;

-have uncontrolled medical problems, such as heart, lung or kidney disease, epilepsy or diabetes mellitus, have severe tactile deficits (defined by Frey filaments exerting a force of 4 N to the distal pad of the finger);

-have a cardiac pacemaker, intracardiac lines, implanted medication pumps, neural stimulators, metal in the cranium, with the exception of dental braces.

Special Instructions:

Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Motor Learning

Accuracy

Tracking Motor Task

Recruitment Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteer

HV

Condition(s):

Interhemispheric inhibition

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Contact(s):

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citation(s):

Kim SG, Ashe J, Hendrich K, Ellermann JM, Merkle H, Ugurbil K, Georgopoulos AP. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of motor cortex: hemispheric asymmetry and handedness. Science. 1993 Jul 30;261(5121):615-7.

Beltramello A, Cerini R, Puppini G, El-Dalati G, Viola S, Martone E, Cordopatri D, Manfredi M, Aglioti S, Tassinari G. Motor representation of the hand in the human cortex: an f-MRI study with a conventional 1.5 T clinical unit. Ital J Neurol Sci. 1998 Oct;19(5):277-84.

Roland PE, Skinhoj E, Lassen NA, Larsen B. Different cortical areas in man in organization of voluntary movements in extrapersonal space. J Neurophysiol. 1980 Jan;43(1):137-50.

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.

Search The Studies | Help | Questions |
Clinical Center Home | NIH Home

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 09/17/2008