Open AccessMotor training‐related brain reorganization in patients with cerebellar degeneration
Author(s) -
Draganova Rossitza,
Konietschke Frank,
Steiner Katharina M.,
Elangovan Naveen,
Gümüs Meltem,
Göricke Sophia M.,
Ernst Thomas M.,
Deistung Andreas,
Eimeren Thilo,
Konczak Jürgen,
Timmann Dagmar
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.25746
Subject(s) - cerebellum , neuroscience , motor learning , psychology , premotor cortex , cerebellar cortex , proprioception , cerebellar degeneration , neuroplasticity , motor coordination , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , dorsum , anatomy
Cerebellar degeneration progressively impairs motor function. Recent research showed that cerebellar patients can improve motor performance with practice, but the optimal feedback type (visual, proprioceptive, verbal) for such learning and the underlying neuroplastic changes are unknown. Here, patients with cerebellar degeneration ( N = 40) and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls ( N = 40) practiced single‐joint, goal‐directed forearm movements for 5 days. Cerebellar patients improved performance during visuomotor practice, but a training focusing on either proprioceptive feedback, or explicit verbal feedback and instruction did not show additional benefits. Voxel‐based morphometry revealed that after training gray matter volume (GMV) was increased prominently in the visual association cortices of controls, whereas cerebellar patients exhibited GMV increase predominantly in premotor cortex. The premotor cortex as a recipient of cerebellar efferents appears to be an important hub in compensatory remodeling following damage of the cerebro‐cerebellar motor system.