The effects of noradrenergic stimulation on the human motor system in healthy subjects

In this study, we investigated the effects of noradrenergic stimulation on the human motor system in healthy subjects assessing both changes in motor performance and changes in neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Evidence from both animal and patient studies suggested that noradrenergic stimulation may enhance motor recovery after brain lesions (e.g., stroke). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that stimulating the motor system with noradrenaline (NA) enhancing drugs may also increase corticomotor excitability in healthy subjects. However, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial ef…