The neural mechanisms underlying the promotion of motor learning by acute exercise

越来越多的文献表明，急性有氧运动(AEX)促进了运动技能的学习，并改变了运动皮质中的神经可塑性机制。人们认为，这些神经可塑性的变化是促进技能获得和运动学习的基础，但没有数据表明大脑和行为的调节是由于启动AEX而产生的。因此，对支持AEX效应的神经机制的知识是不完整的。目前缺乏知识的部分原因是明显缺乏对以下方面的研究：i)支持AEX诱导的神经可塑性效应的关键大脑区域和回路，以及ii)技能水平对AEX‘启动’的运动学习任务的影响。这些基本问题推动了拟议的研究计划。最近技术和研究的进步为测量大脑中不同的皮质中间神经元提供了可能性，特别是在运动皮质中。使用经颅磁刺激(TMS)可以评估两组不同的皮质中间神经元。我最近和其他人的工作表明，这些中间神经元群体对运动行为和旨在改变皮质兴奋性的重复TMS方案做出独特的反应。越来越多的证据表明，AEX影响运动皮质兴奋性，但总的来说，证据不足且相互矛盾。我和其他人的工作表明，AEX可能独特地调节运动皮质间神经元，但还没有工作直接测试这个问题。我最近的工作表明，前额叶、顶叶和小脑回路参与了AEX后运动皮质兴奋性的变化。这一点得到了我的工作的支持，我的工作证明了AEX在熟练的视觉运动任务中同时提高了到达准确性和加快了反应时间，这表明认知策略和感觉运动执行的交互增强。由于运动技能习得的早期阶段涉及额叶、顶叶和小脑区域活动的增加，因此AEX将促进这些回路以促进运动学习。因此，目前的建议将调查：运动、前额叶、顶叶和小脑回路调制与AEX启动的运动学习任务中技能的影响之间的关系。这项研究计划将首次发现受AEX影响的关键大脑区域和回路，以支持增强技能获得和运动学习。我提议的工作代表了一个独特的机会，通过利用先进的脑刺激技术来发展我们对AEX诱导的神经可塑性的了解。预计这项研究计划的结果将有助于对AEX影响运动学习的神经和行为机制的新颖和更好的理解。

A growing body of literature demonstrates that acute aerobic exercise (AEX) promotes motor skill learning and alters neuroplasticity-like mechanisms in the motor cortex. It is thought that these changes in neuroplasticity underlie the facilitation of skill acquisition and motor learning, yet no data links the modulation of brain and behaviour due to `priming' AEX. As a consequence, knowledge of the neural mechanisms supporting the effects of AEX is incomplete. The current lack of knowledge stems in part from a notable absence of investigation into: i) the key brain regions and circuits supporting the AEX-induced effects to neuroplasticity, and ii) the influence of skill level on motor learning tasks `primed' by AEX. These fundamental questions motivate the proposed research program. Recent advances in technology and research have afforded the potential to measure distinct cortical interneurons in the brain, and specifically within the motor cortex. Two distinct sets of cortical interneurons can be assessed using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). My recent work, along with others, demonstrates that these interneuron populations respond uniquely to motor behaviour and repetitive TMS protocols designed to alter cortical excitability. Accumulating evidence suggests that AEX impacts motor cortex excitability, yet taken together the evidence is lacking and contradictory. My work, along with others, is suggestive that AEX may uniquely modulate motor cortical interneurons, yet no work has directly tested this question. My recent work suggests that prefrontal, parietal and cerebellar circuits contribute to motor cortex excitability change following AEX. This is bolstered by my work demonstrating AEX simultaneously improves reaching accuracy and accelerates reaction time at a skilled visuomotor task, suggesting an interactive enhancement of cognitive strategy and sensorimotor execution. Since the early stages of motor skill acquisition involves increased activity in frontal, parietal and cerebellar regions, it follows that AEX would facilitate these circuits to promote motor learning. Therefore, the current proposal will investigate the associations between: motor, prefrontal, parietal and cerebellar circuit modulation with the influence of skill in motor learning tasks `primed' by AEX. This research program will be the first to uncover the critical brain regions and circuits impacted by AEX to support enhanced skill acquisition and motor learning. My proposed work represents a unique opportunity to develop our knowledge of AEX-induced neuroplasticity by capitalizing on advanced techniques of brain stimulation. It is anticipated that the results of this research program will contribute to novel and improved understanding of the neural and behavioural mechanisms underlying the impact of AEX on motor learning.