The ability to induce plasticity in human primary motor cortex (M1) may be diminished with advancing age. Intracortical inhibition is critical for M1 plasticity and regular participation in physical activity can promote M1 plasticity. This study assessed modulation of M1 excitability and inhibition after paired associative stimulation (PAS) and motor skill acquisition in young and older adults, which also considered the cardio...

This study explores the role of task constraints over muscle synergies expression in the context of upper limb motor impairment after stroke. We recruited nine chronic stroke survivors with upper limb impairments and fifteen healthy controls, who performed a series of tasks designed to evoke muscle synergies through various spatial explorations. These tasks included an isometric force task, a dynamic reaching task, the clinica...

The primary motor cortex (M1) is critical for movement execution, but its role in motor skill acquisition remains elusive. Here, we examine the role of M1 intracortical circuits during skill acquisition. Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) paradigms of short-interval intracortical facilitation (SICF) and inhibition (SICI) were used to assess excitatory and inhibitory circuits, respectively. We hypothesised tha...