Motor dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment as tested by kinematic analysis and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Issue 2 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Colella, Donato; Guerra, Andrea; Paparella, Giulia; Cioffi, Ettore; Di Vita, Antonella; Trebbastoni, Alessandro; Berardelli, Alfredo; Bologna, Matteo
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 132:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 315
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Mild cognitive impairment -- Movement slowness -- Motor cortex -- Motor control -- TMS; AMT active motor threshold -- AD Alzheimer's disease -- aMCI amnestic mild cognitive impairment -- ANOVA analysis of variance -- BDI-II Beck Depression Inventory -- CV coefficient of variation -- EMG electromyography -- FDI first dorsal interosseous -- FAB Frontal Assessment Battery -- HCs healthy controls -- I/O input-output -- ISI interstimulus interval -- LTP long-term potentiation -- M1 primary motor cortex -- MCI mild cognitive impairment -- MEPs motor evoked potentials -- MoCA MT1mV = intensity required to produce MEPs of ~1 mV in size Montreal Cognitive Assessment -- MDS-UPDRS Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale -- naMCI nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment -- rmANOVA repeated-measures analysis of variance -- RMT resting motor threshold -- short-interval (SICI) intracortical inhibition -- SAI short-latency afferent inhibition -- SPECT single photon emission computed tomography -- SD standard deviation -- iTBS intermittent theta burst stimulation -- TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.10.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Highlights: Voluntary movement abnormalities can be observed in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Abnormal rhythm during repetitive finger movements in MCI patients relates to frontal dysfunction. Altered voluntary movement may be an early motor feature in patients with cognitive decline. Abstract: Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated voluntary movement alterations as well as motor cortex excitability and plasticity changes in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). To investigate the pathophysiology of movement abnormalities in MCI, we tested possible relationships between movement abnormalities and primary motor cortex alterations in patients. Methods: Fourteen amnestic MCI (aMCI) patients and 16 healthy controls were studied. Cognitive assessment was performed using clinical scales. Finger tapping was recorded by a motion analysis system. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to test the input/output curve of motor evoked potentials, intracortical inhibition, and short-latency afferent inhibition. Primary motor cortex plasticity was probed by theta burst stimulation. We investigated correlations between movement abnormalities, clinical scores, and cortical neurophysiological parameters. Results: MCI patients showed less rhythmic movement but no other movement abnormalities. Cortical excitability measures were normal in patients, whereas plasticity was reduced. Movement rhythm abnormalities correlated with frontal dysfunction scores. Conclusion: Our study in MCI patients demonstrated abnormal voluntary movement and plasticity changes, with no correlation between the two. Altered rhythm correlated with frontal dysfunction. Significance: Our results contribute to the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of motor impairment in MCI.