Neural plasticity as a basis for motor learning and neurorehabilitation

Abstract

Skilled action is the end-product of learning processes that can improve several aspects of motor control such as strategic movement organisation, perceptual-motor associations, or muscle commands for basic components of sequentially evolving, complex movements. Experimental studies in healthy participants using functional imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation have identified separable processes that form cortical motor representations and that assist this formation of representations. These processes capitalise on usedependent plasticity and changes in cortical excitability before and after practice. In terms of neural circuits, motor learning manifests measurably via structures tha..