Non-invasive brain stimulation can elucidate and interact with the mechanisms underlying motor learning and retention: implications for rehabilitation

Seminal work in animals indicates that learning a motor task results in long-term potentiation (LTP) in primary motor cortex (M1) and a subsequent occlusion of LTP induction (Rioult-Pedotti et al. 2007). Using various forms of non-invasive brain stimulation (NBS) in conjunction with a motor learning paradigm, Cantarero et al. (2013) recently provided novel evidence to support the hypothesis that retention of motor skill is contingent upon this post-learning occlusion.