Motor cortex changes when learning a brand-new movement
Cortical Excitability During de Novo Motor Learning in Healthy Subjects : an Exploratory Longitudinal Study
This trial will test whether practicing a brand-new motor task increases motor system excitability in healthy right-handed adults over three separate sessions.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Loos) |
| Trial ID | NCT07455461 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial enrolls healthy, right-handed adults who perform a de novo motor learning task across three practice sessions separated by different time intervals. Corticospinal excitability and intracortical reorganization in primary motor cortex (M1) will be measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation before and after practice to quantify physiological change. Behavioral learning (performance improvements) will also be recorded across sessions to relate skill acquisition to neurophysiological changes. Comparisons will examine whether excitability increases and connectivity reorganizes consistently across sessions and intervals.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy, right-handed adults without contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation who can attend three in-person sessions.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant, have contraindications to TMS, active neurological disorders, or who cannot attend the sessions are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could help shape better-timed training or rehabilitation approaches to improve motor recovery after injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous TMS studies using simple motor tasks have often reported increased corticospinal excitability and cortical reorganization, but results have been variable and not uniformly replicated.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * right-handed * healthy * having signed an informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * counter-indication to transcranial magnetic stimulation * pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Loos
- Eurasport — Loos, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Pierre D Morel, Dr
- Email: pierre.morel@univ-littoral.fr
- Phone: 0033781692692
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.