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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 102/1/294    most recent 00184.2009v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Galea, J. M. Articles by Celnik, P. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Galea, J. M. Articles by Celnik, P.

Brain Polarization Enhances the Formation and Retention of Motor Memories

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, Maryland

Submitted 2 March 2009; accepted in final form 13 April 2009

One of the first steps in the acquisition of a new motor skill is the formation of motor memories. Here we tested the capacity of transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS) applied over the motor cortex during motor practice to increase motor memory formation and retention. Nine healthy individuals underwent a crossover transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study designed to test motor memory formation resulting from training. Anodal tDCS elicited an increase in the magnitude and duration of motor memories in a polarity-specific manner, as reflected by changes in the kinematic characteristics of TMS-evoked movements after anodal, but not cathodal or sham stimulation. This effect was present only when training and stimulation were associated and mediated by a differential modulation of corticomotor excitability of the involved muscles. These results indicate that anodal brain polarization can enhance the initial formation and retention of a new motor memory resulting from training. These processes may be the underlying mechanisms by which tDCS enhances motor learning.