Motor cortex changes in spinal cord injury: a TMS study

• Published in: Neurological research (New York) Vol. 30; no. 10; pp. 1084 - 1085
• Main Authors: Saturno, Eleonora, Bonato, Claudio, Miniussi, Carlo, Lazzaro, VincenzoDi, Callea, Leonardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01-12-2008
• Subjects: Electric Stimulation - methods; Electromyography; Evoked Potentials, Motor - physiology; Humans; Motor Cortex - physiopathology; MOTOR CORTEX PLASTICITY; Spinal Cord Injuries - pathology; Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy; SPINAL CORD LESION; Tibial Nerve - physiopathology; TMS; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - methods
• ISSN: 0161-6412; 1743-1328
• DOI: 10.1179/174313208X332968

Using paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) paradigms, we studied cortical excitability in a patient with spinal cord lesion. During posterior tibial nerve stimulation, the contextual flexion of hand fingers contralateral to the stimulated lower limb had suggested a change in motor cortex excitability. Results showed a decrease in the activity of motor cortex inhibitory circuits. This could suggest that in spinal cord injury, just as in stroke and peripheral deafferentation, a disinhibition of latent synapses within the motor cortex and the rewriting of a new motor map can occur.