Development of protocols to assess neuroplasticity events taking place in the brain motor networks

开发评估大脑运动网络中发生的神经可塑性事件的协议

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-05270
• 负责人: Boudrias, MarieHélène
• 金额: $ 1.89万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=681447
• 关键词: Development; protocols; assess; neuroplasticity; events

Corticospinal neurons are involved in muscle activity and are important contributors to movement production. They are contained within motor areas of the brain, which are also highly interconnected with each other at the cortical level. Whereas the role of the primary motor cortex (M1) has been studied for more than a century, the secondary motor areas have only recently been investigated; consequently, their roles in the production of movement are less well understood. This is partially because precise measure of brain interactions is difficult to achieve.******A better understanding of these interactions is particularly important since limited regeneration of brain tissue takes place in the adult brain. Consequently, during aging or in the presence of a pathology affecting the brain, the maintenance or recovery of motor functions is thought to be a consequence of the reorganization of interactions between elements within specific brain networks. Therefore, it is of vital importance to develop tools that will allow us to quantitatively identify interactions and changes within and between brain regions, and to assess their link with an individual's motor performance.******Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques have provided the means to investigate subtle changes occurring in brain networks under different conditions. In this research program, I propose using techniques such as magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electroencephalography (EEG) to study brain motor network organization, with a special emphasis on the roles played by the secondary motor areas. The main objective of this research program is to develop protocols that will allow me to quantitatively describe the interactions occurring within brain motor circuits. In particular, I will assess the precise role of the secondary motor areas in movement production and quantify the changes of these interactions during aging or the use of an intervention such as cardiovascular exercise or cortical stimulation. ******Ultimately, this my research program will contribute to the identification of robust and sensitive biomarkers of motor performance, which could ultimately guide personalized treatment strategies during healthy or pathological aging. The long-term goal of improving the maintenance of motor performance will strengthen Canada efforts in keeping its elderly population active and maximizing their well-being.

皮质脊髓神经元参与肌肉活动，是运动产生的重要贡献者。它们包含在大脑的运动区域中，这些区域在皮层水平上也高度相互联系。初级运动皮层（M1）的作用已经被研究了一个多世纪，而次级运动区域直到最近才被研究；因此，它们在运动产生中的作用还不太清楚。这在一定程度上是因为对大脑相互作用的精确测量很难实现。******更好地了解这些相互作用是特别重要的，因为在成人大脑中，脑组织的再生是有限的。因此，在衰老过程中或在影响大脑的病理存在的情况下，运动功能的维持或恢复被认为是特定大脑网络中元素之间相互作用重组的结果。因此，开发工具，使我们能够定量地识别大脑区域内部和区域之间的相互作用和变化，并评估它们与个体运动表现的联系，是至关重要的。******神经成像技术的最新进展为研究不同条件下大脑网络中发生的细微变化提供了手段。在这个研究项目中，我建议使用脑磁图（MEG）、磁共振成像（MRI）和脑电图（EEG）等技术来研究大脑运动网络的组织，特别强调次级运动区域所起的作用。这个研究项目的主要目标是制定协议，使我能够定量地描述大脑运动回路中发生的相互作用。特别是，我将评估次级运动区域在运动产生中的确切作用，并量化这些相互作用在衰老或使用心血管运动或皮质刺激等干预期间的变化。******最终，我的研究计划将有助于识别运动表现的强大和敏感的生物标志物，这可能最终指导健康或病理性衰老期间的个性化治疗策略。改善运动能力维持的长期目标将加强加拿大在保持老年人口活跃和最大限度地提高其福祉方面的努力。