The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on GABA and Glx in Children During Motor Learning
Date
2019-06-07
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Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that safely modulates brain activity. Several studies have shown that anodal tDCS of the primary motor cortex (M1) facilitates motor learning and plasticity but there is little information about the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, studies have shown that tDCS can affect local levels of GABA and glutamate both of which are associated with skill acquisition and plasticity. This study aimed to quantify changes in GABA and Glx in response to 5 consecutive days of anodal tDCS or high definition tDCS targeting the M1 in children. Our results suggest HD-tDCS elicits a neurochemical response that is different from anodal tDCS despite resulting in similar motor enhancements. Additionally, we identified a relationship between left sensorimotor cortex GABA and improvements in motor performance. Overall, our results suggest that the developing brain responds differently to tDCS when compared to adult literature.
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magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), GABA, Glutmate, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), GABA-edited MRS
Citation
Nwaroh, C. (2019). The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on GABA and Glx in Children During Motor Learning (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.