Experiential changes in the cortical representation of movement

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Our skilled movements are controlled by the brain through nerve fiber tracts that activate muscles in our body. Mapping out the exact region of the body that is controlled by specific brain regions produces what is known as a motor map. Methods to generate motor maps in animal studies have revealed that the size of the map can be changed by a number of factors including motor practice. For example, training animals to use their forelimb to carry out a skilled reaching task results in the expansion of the forelimb motor map. Such use-dependent reorganisation is thought to be mediated by structural changes within the brain, however we still lack a detailed understanding of the role that map changes play in facilitating motor learning. In our proposed experiments, we will use novel imaging and brain stimulation technology to study the training-induced enhancement of motor maps. In addition, we will perform brain stimulation paired with sensory stimulation of the paw to induce expansion of motor maps. Our results will determine whether enhancing motor map size within the brain also improves the ability to learn new skilled movements.