Cardiac function influences motor excitability of the autonomic nervous system
November 2023
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
In the present study, the influence of cardiac function on motor excitability was examined. 36 healthy white subjects aged between 18 and 40 years took part in the study. In the first phase of the experiment, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was performed on participants in several blocks. Changes in cortical and corticospinal excitability were recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG). At the same time, cardiac activity was monitored using electrocardiography (ECG). Fluctuations in motor excitability were analysed and assessed across the systolic and diastolic phases of cardiac activity. The results show that cortical and corticospinal excitability reached the highest levels during cardiac contraction and was enhanced following stronger neuronal responses to heartbeats. In a second phase of the experiment, the same parameters were collected while the subjects had to solve a pinch motor task. It was also observed here that hand muscle activity and the associated desynchronization of sensorimotor oscillations were more pronounced during systole than during the relaxation phase of the heart. In summary, the results of the study indicate that, in contrast to previous findings from previous studies on somatosensory perception, systolic cardiac activity appears to have a positive or supportive effect on motor excitability. The results may help to reevaluate and optimize TMS as a therapeutic application in epilepsy, depression or stroke patients.
Cardiac activity impacts cortical motor excitability
Esra Al
Added on: 11-30-2023
[1] https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002393
