Investigating the influence of paired-associative stimulation on multi-session skill acquisition and retention in older adults. Issue 7 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Opie, George M.; Pourmajidian, Maryam; Ziemann, Ulf; Semmler, John G.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 131:Issue 7(2020:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1497
• Page End: 1507
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Ageing -- Motor learning -- Transcranial magnetic stimulation -- Paired-associative stimulation -- Neuroplasticity -- Metaplasticity; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.04.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Highlights: Multisession paired-associative stimulation (PAS) and motor learning was performed in older adults. Skill acquisition and consolidation during visuomotor training was unaffected by priming PAS. Long-term skill retention assessed 7 days after the final training session was improved by PAS that induced long-term depression (PAS LTD ). Abstract: Objective: Priming non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can improve motor learning in the elderly, but it remains unclear how benefits observed in a single training session translate to multiple training sessions. The current study therefore examined the influence of priming NIBS on acquisition and retention of a novel motor skill over sequential training days in older adults. Methods: In 30 older adults (68.2 ± 5.3 years, 14 females), paired-associative stimulation (PAS) was applied prior to visuomotor training on 3 consecutive days. The interstimulus interval used for PAS was either 10 ms (PAS LTD ) or 100 ms (PAS Control ) and long-term retention was assessed by quantifying motor performance 7 days after the final training session. Results: During training, skill progressively increased across sessions ( P < 0.0001), but this was not different between PAS LTD and PAS Control ( P > 0.1). In contrast, the magnitude of skill retained 7 days after training was significantly greater in the PAS LTD group ( P = 0.02), suggesting significantly greater long-term retention of the trained skill. Conclusions: PAS LTD over multiple sessions may represent an effective tool to help maintain newly learned motor skills in older adults. Significance: While multisession priming with PAS can influence long-term skill retention, improving skill acquisition requires investigation of alternative protocols.