Combined endogenous and exogenous disinhibition of intracortical circuits augments plasticity induction in the human motor cortex

摘要

Background: Motor imagery (MI) engages cortical areas in the human brain similar to motor practice. Corticospinal excitability (CSE) is facilitated during but not after MI practice. We hypothesized that lasting CSE changes could be achieved by associatively pairing this endogenous modulation with exogenous stimulation of the same intracortical circuits.