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Decreased thalamo-cortico connectivity during an implicit sequence motor learning task and 7 days escitalopram intake.

ABSTRACT: Evidence suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) reorganize neural networks via a transient window of neuroplasticity. While previous findings support an effect of SSRIs on intrinsic functional connectivity, little is known regarding the influence of SSRI-administration on connectivity during sequence motor learning. To investigate this, we administered 20 mg escitalopram or placebo for 1-week to 60 healthy female participants undergoing concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging and sequence motor training in a double-blind randomized controlled design. We assessed task-modulated functional connectivity with a psycho-physiological interaction (PPI) analysis in the thalamus, putamen, cerebellum, dorsal premotor, primary motor, supplementary motor, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. Comparing an implicit sequence learning condition to a control learning condition, we observed decreased connectivity between the thalamus and bilateral motor regions after 7 days of escitalopram intake. Additionally, we observed a negative correlation between plasma escitalopram levels and PPI connectivity changes, with higher escitalopram levels being associated with greater thalamo-cortico decreases. Our results suggest that escitalopram enhances network-level processing efficiency during sequence motor learning, despite no changes in behaviour. Future studies in more diverse samples, however, with quantitative imaging of neurochemical markers of excitation and inhibition, are necessary to further assess neural responses to escitalopram.

SUBMITTER: Molloy EN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8302647 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:The robust, reciprocal anatomical connections between the cerebellum and contralateral sensorimotor cerebral hemisphere underscores the strong physiological interdependence between these two regions in relation to human behavior. Previous studies have shown that damage to sensorimotor cortex can result in a lasting reduction of cerebellar metabolism, the magnitude of which has been linked to poor rehabilitative outcomes. A better understanding of movement-related cerebellar physiology as well as cortico-cerebellar coherence (CCC) in the chronic, post-stroke state may be key to developing novel neuromodulatory techniques that promote upper limb motor rehabilitation. As a part of the first in-human phase-I trial investigating the effects of deep brain stimulation of the cerebellar dentate nucleus (DN) on chronic, post-stroke motor rehabilitation, we collected invasive recordings from DN and scalp EEG in subjects (both sexes) with middle cerebral artery stroke during a visuo-motor tracking task. We investigated the excitability of ipsilesional cortex, DN and the their interaction as a function of motor impairment and performance. Our results indicate that 1) event-related oscillations in the ipsilesional cortex and DN were significantly correlated at movement onset in the low-β band, with moderately and severely impaired subjects showing desynchronization and synchronization, respectively. 2) Significant CCC was observed during isometric 'hold' period in the low-β band, which was critical for maintaining task accuracy. Our findings support a strong coupling between ipsilesional cortex and DN in the low-β band during motor control across all impairment levels which encourages the exploitation of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway as a neuromodulation target to promote rehabilitation.Significance Statement:Cerebral infarct due to stroke can lead to lasting reduction in cerebellar metabolism resulting in poor rehabilitative outcomes. Thorough investigation of the cerebellar electrophysiology as well as cortico-cerebellar connectivity in humans that could provide key insights to facilitate development of novel neuromodulatory technologies, has been lacking. As a part of the first in-human phase-I trial investigating deep brain stimulation of the cerebellar dentate nucleus (DN) for chronic, post-stroke motor rehabilitation, we collected invasive recordings from DN and scalp EEG while stroke patients performed a motor task. Our data indicate strong coupling between ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex and DN in the low-β band across all impairment levels encouraging the exploration of electrical stimulation of the DN.

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Decreased thalamo-cortico connectivity during an implicit sequence motor learning task and 7 days escitalopram intake.

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