Facilitative effect of high frequency subthreshold repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on complex sequential motor learning in humans

We investigated the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the motor cortex, on the motor learning of sequential finger movements. Fifteen healthy subjects were trained to perform seven sequential finger movements of the left hand. Ten Hertz or sham rTMS with a testing motor threshold of 80% was applied to each subject during the task period. Stimulation with 10 Hz rTMS produced a better learning performance in terms of target score and execution time than sham stimulation. We conclude that high-frequency rTMS may modulate the excitability of the motor cortex and facilitate the sequential motor learning process in normal subjects. These findings may provide a basis for the development of therapeutic applications of rTMS in patients with impaired motor skill. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.