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Affiliation
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Department of Human Physiology , University of Oregon , Eugene , OR , USA. |
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Abstract
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PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To examine the function of the motor cortex during executive function tasks in individuals with concussion, relative to healthy controls.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess motor cortex excitability and inhibition acutely, within 72 hours, and over two months, post-concussion in 23 participants, nine individuals with concussion and 14 controls. Participants performed a cognitive task during TMS to determine the impact of cognitive task on the motor cortex. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Resting motor threshold (p = 0.02) and motor-evoked potential (MEPRest) amplitude (p = 0.03) were different between groups, both suggesting greater corticospinal excitability in individuals with concussion. Cortical silent period (CSP) duration was greater at 72 hours (p = 0.03), one month (p = 0.003) and two months (p = 0.05) in individuals with concussion, suggesting increased intracortical inhibition. The performance of a cognitive task caused an increase in MEPRest (p = 0.006) and CSP (p = 0.04), compared to baseline in both groups, but no interaction of condition by group (p ≥ 0.91) for either measure.
CONCLUSION: Simultaneously performing a cognitive task during motor cortex assessments increased corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition; however, the increase was not different between groups.
Language: en |