Functional reorganization of sensorimotor cortex in early Parkinson disease

• DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e318253d5dd
• Publication Date: 2012-04-20T00:31:33Z
• Authors: M. Kojovic; M. Bologna; P. Kassavetis; N. Murase; F.J. Palomar; A. Berardelli; J.C. Rothwell; M.J. Edwards; K.P. Bhatia
• Keywords: Facilitation

Compensatory reorganization of the nigrostriatal system is thought to delay onset symptoms in early Parkinson disease (PD). Here we sought evidence that compensation may be a part more widespread functional sensorimotor networks, including primary motor cortex.Several neurophysiologic measures known abnormal cortex (M1) patients with advanced PD were tested on and less affected side 16 newly diagnosed drug-naive compared age-matched healthy participants. LTP-like effects probed using paired associative stimulation protocol. We also measured short interval intracortical inhibition, facilitation, cortical silent period, input/output curves.The had preserved inhibition larger response plasticity protocol On side, there was no reduced. There difference curves between sides or participants.Increased consistent represent compensatory change contributes delaying clinical symptoms. Alternatively, it reflect maladaptive provokes symptom onset. Plasticity deteriorates as progress, seen side. The rate over time could developed into surrogate marker progression PD.