Christian Leukel (Department of Sport Science, University of Freiburg)

Abstract:
The human central nervous system is remarkably plastic and this is the basis for all forms of learning including the acquisition of motor skills. In humans, plasticity can be studied using artificial stimulation of neurons with neurophysiological techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). This talk introduces relevant stimulation paradigms that affect the motor system, specifically the corticospinal tract originating in motor areas of the brain and targeting spinal motoneurons. In this context, recent methodological developments will be discussed that allow separating spinal from cortical effects, and that enable to investigate timing-specific modulations of different fractions of the corticospinal tract. Finally, the talk discusses the functional significance of these stimulation protocols.