Cortical and spinal plasticity following locomotion-like arm movements

Introduction: Previous studies have shown an increase in frequency-dependent H-reflex depression (homosynaptic depression, HD) in lumbar motor neurons following a skillful leg-cycling task. These results were consistent with the thesis that the spinal cord itself can perform an encoding function for locomotion-like movements mediated by the propriospinal system. Furthermore, a modulation of lower extremity H-reflex responses mediated by rhythmic arm movements has been shown, but no study has so far verified an encoding function of cervical neuronal circuits. This study aims to investigate use-dependent memory ca…