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Mapping brain structure and function in professional fencers: A model to study training effects on central nervous system plasticity.

ABSTRACT: Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown different patterns of structural and functional reorganization in high-level athletes compared with controls, but little is known about their relationship with interlimb coordination mechanisms. To this aim, we investigated brain structural and functional differences in high-level fencers compared with nonathlete controls and the MRI substrates of interlimb coordination in elite athletes. Fourteen right-handed male fencers (median age = 22.3 years) and 15 right-handed age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (median age = 22.4 years) underwent structural and functional MRI acquisition during the execution of cyclic bimanual-movements as well as during in-phase and antiphase hand/foot-movements of the dominant-right limbs. No between-group differences were found in gray matter volumes and white matter architecture. Active-fMRI showed that controls versus fencers had higher activations in parietal and temporal areas during bimanual-task; whereas fencers versus controls had higher activations in the basal ganglia. During in-phase task, controls versus fencers showed higher activation of right cerebellum, whereas fencers had higher activity mainly in frontal areas. The functional-connectivity (FC) analysis showed that fencers versus controls had an increased FC between left motor cortex and fronto-temporal areas as well as bilateral thalami during the different tasks. Intensive and prolonged fencing activity is associated with brain functional changes mainly involving frontal regions related to high-level motor control and planning of complex tasks. These modifications are likely to reflect an optimization of brain networks involved in motor activities, including interlimb coordination tasks, occurring after intensive training.

SUBMITTER: Cordani C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9248301 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:The blood-brain barrier (BBB) allows the brain to selectively import nutrients and energy critical to neuronal function while simultaneously excluding neurotoxic substances from the peripheral circulation. In contrast to the highly permeable vasculature present in most organs that reside outside of the central nervous system (CNS), the BBB exhibits a high transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) along with a low rate of transcytosis and greatly restricted paracellular permeability. The property of low paracellular permeability is controlled by tight junction (TJ) protein complexes that seal the paracellular route between apposing brain microvascular endothelial cells. Although tight junction protein complexes are principal contributors to physical barrier properties, they are not static in nature. Rather, tight junction protein complexes are highly dynamic structures, where expression and/or localization of individual constituent proteins can be modified in response to pathophysiological stressors. These stressors induce modifications to tight junction protein complexes that involve de novo synthesis of new protein or discrete trafficking mechanisms. Such responsiveness of BBB tight junctions to diseases indicates that these protein complexes are critical for maintenance of CNS homeostasis. In fulfillment of this vital role, BBB tight junctions are also a major obstacle to therapeutic drug delivery to the brain. There is an opportunity to overcome this substantial obstacle and optimize neuropharmacology via acquisition of a detailed understanding of BBB tight junction structure, function, and regulation. In this review, we discuss physiological characteristics of tight junction protein complexes and how these properties regulate delivery of therapeutics to the CNS for treatment of neurological diseases. Specifically, we will discuss modulation of tight junction structure, function, and regulation both in the context of disease states and in the setting of pharmacotherapy. In particular, we will highlight how these properties can be potentially manipulated at the molecular level to increase CNS drug levels via paracellular transport to the brain.

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Mapping brain structure and function in professional fencers: A model to study training effects on central nervous system plasticity.

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