Resting State Connectivity Is Modulated by Motor Learning in Individuals After Stroke

Abstract

Objective Activity patterns across brain regions that can be characterized at rest (ie, resting-state functional connectivity [rsFC]) are disrupted after stroke and linked to impairments in motor function. While changes in rsFC are associated with motor recovery, it is not clear how rsFC is modulated by skilled motor practice used to promote recovery. The current study examined how rsFC is modulated by skilled motor practice after stroke and how changes in rsFC are linked to motor learning. Methods Two groups of participants (individuals with stroke and age-matched controls) engaged in 4 weeks of skilled motor practice of a complex, gamified reaching task. Clinical assessments of motor function and impairment, and brain activity (via functional magnetic resonance imaging) were obtained before and after training. Results While no differences in rsFC were observed in the control group, increased connectivity was observed in the sensorimotor network, linked to learning in the stroke group. Relative to healthy controls, a decrease in network efficiency was observed in the stroke group following training. Conclusions Findings indicate that rsFC patterns related to learning observed after stroke reflect a shift toward a compensatory network configuration characterized by decreased network efficiency.

Experience-dependent learning and myelin plasticity in individuals with stroke

“…This idea is supported by prior work that showed that after stroke individuals rely on a dispersed functional network to learn as compared to age-matched controls. 47 Both the current study of brain myelination, and our past work of functional connectivity, 47 suggest that the motor cortex and regions in the parietal cortex interact to support motor learning after stroke. These interactions are not surprising given the need for parietal cortical function, which supports visuomotor integration during reaching movements, for motor task success.…”

“…After stroke, functional connectivity shifts to nearby networks not immediately impacted by the lesion. 47 Though the corticospinal tract may be important for motor recovery, 18,48 it is likely that individuals with damage to the CST who are in the chronic stage of stroke recovery (>6 months post) employ alternate pathways to support limb motor function. Therefore, in the current study of individuals with chronic stroke, we broadened the inclusion criteria to cover regions that could possibly be affected by the stroke beyond those traditionally studied, including association fibers and sensorimotor regions.…”

Posterior parietal cortical areas and recovery after motor stroke: a scoping review

“…The treatment effect itself was positively associated with the coupling strength between left angular gyrus and left M1. 66 As a consequence, future studies will have to acknowledge that precise characteristics of experimental setups, motor task or training paradigms as well as outcome measures have a relevant influence on brain–behaviour associations, whether causal or not. An overview of functional and effective connectivity studies is given in Fig.…”

Investigating female versus male differences in white matter neuroplasticity associated with complex visuo-motor learning

“…Twenty-seven (N = 27) neurologically intact, older adult participants (mean age ± standard deviation: 64.2 ± 8.5 years, 2 left-hand dominant, 17 females, female mean age ± standard deviation: 62.8 ± 8.0 years, male mean age ± standard deviation: 66.7 ± 8.3 years) completed a 10-session (4 week) complex visuo-motor training task. Task specifics are provided in Kraeutner et al 91 . Briefly, participants engaged in a semi-immersive virtual reality-based intercept and release task (TRack And Intercept Task; TRAIT) that was presented on a 46-inch monitor, viewed at 72 inches away (screen refresh rate 59 Hz).…”