Open AccessToward a more personalized motor function rehabilitation in Myotonic dystrophy type 1: The role of neuroplasticity
Author(s) -
Simona Portaro,
Antonino Naro,
Antonino Chillura,
Luana Billeri,
Alessia Bramanti,
Placido Bramantı,
Carmelo Rodolico,
Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0178470
Subject(s) - neuroplasticity , neuroscience , myotonic dystrophy , transcranial magnetic stimulation , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychology , motor skill , rehabilitation , stimulation
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most prevalent adult muscular dystrophy, often accompanied by impairments in attention, memory, visuospatial and executive functions. Given that DM1 is a multi-system disorder, it requires a multi-disciplinary approach, including effective rehabilitation programs, focusing on the central nervous system neuroplasticity, in order to develop patient-tailored rehabilitative procedures for motor function recovery. Herein, we performed a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study aimed at investigating central motor conduction time, sensory-motor plasticity, and cortical excitability in 7 genetically defined DM1 patients. As compared to healthy individuals, DM1 patients showed a delayed central motor conduction time and an abnormal sensory-motor plasticity, with no alteration of cortical excitability. These findings may be useful to define patient-tailored motor rehabilitative programs.