Mapping genetic influences on the corticospinal motor system in humans
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Mapping genetic influences on the corticospinal motor system in humans. / Cheeran, B J; Ritter, C; Rothwell, J C; Siebner, H R.
In: Neuroscience, Vol. 164, No. 1, 2009, p. 156-63.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Mapping genetic influences on the corticospinal motor system in humans
AU - Cheeran, B J
AU - Ritter, C
AU - Rothwell, J C
AU - Siebner, H R
N1 - Keywords: Animals; Humans; Motor Activity; Motor Skills; Movement Disorders; Neuronal Plasticity; Pyramidal Tracts
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - It is becoming increasingly clear that genetic variations account for a certain amount of variance in the acquisition and maintenance of different skills. Until now, several levels of genetic influences were examined, ranging from global heritability estimates down to the analysis of the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and variable number tandem repeats. In humans, the corticospinal motor system is essential to the acquisition of fine manual motor skills which require a finely tuned coordination of activity in distal forelimb muscles. Here we review recent brain mapping studies that have begun to explore the influence of functional genetic variation as well as mutations on function and structure of the human corticospinal motor system, and also the clinical implications of these studies. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary motor hand area revealed a modulatory role of the common val66met polymorphism in the BDNF gene on corticospinal plasticity. Diffusion-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging has been employed to pinpoint subtle structural changes in corticospinal motor projections in individuals carrying a mutation in genes associated with motor neuron degeneration. These studies underscore the potential of non-invasive brain mapping techniques to characterize the genetic influence on the human corticospinal motor system.
AB - It is becoming increasingly clear that genetic variations account for a certain amount of variance in the acquisition and maintenance of different skills. Until now, several levels of genetic influences were examined, ranging from global heritability estimates down to the analysis of the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and variable number tandem repeats. In humans, the corticospinal motor system is essential to the acquisition of fine manual motor skills which require a finely tuned coordination of activity in distal forelimb muscles. Here we review recent brain mapping studies that have begun to explore the influence of functional genetic variation as well as mutations on function and structure of the human corticospinal motor system, and also the clinical implications of these studies. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary motor hand area revealed a modulatory role of the common val66met polymorphism in the BDNF gene on corticospinal plasticity. Diffusion-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging has been employed to pinpoint subtle structural changes in corticospinal motor projections in individuals carrying a mutation in genes associated with motor neuron degeneration. These studies underscore the potential of non-invasive brain mapping techniques to characterize the genetic influence on the human corticospinal motor system.
U2 - 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.01.054
DO - 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.01.054
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 19409217
VL - 164
SP - 156
EP - 163
JO - Neuroscience
JF - Neuroscience
SN - 0306-4522
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 21456910