Project R-16929

Personalized Cortico-Cortical Paired Associative Stimulation to Enhance Motor Network Connectivity in Healthy Aging (Research)

Age-related decline in motor function is linked to weakened intrahemispheric connectivity within the motor network, particularly between the supplementary motor area (SMA) and the primary motor cortex (M1). While cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) can strengthen these pathways, standard protocols are often ineffective in older adults due to an age-related reduction in neuroplasticity. This project will implement a novel, personalized ccPAS intervention to enhance SMA→M1 connectivity and improve motor function in healthy older adults (60-80 years). I will use a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled design, employing a high-dose, multi-session stimulation protocol. Personalization will be achieved through MRI-guided neuronavigation, individual electricfield modeling to standardize cortical stimulation, and physiologically-defined inter-stimulus intervals. The primary objectives are to enhance SMA→M1 effective connectivity, improve manual dexterity, and identify neurophysiological and imaging markers that predict treatment response. By combining causal neuromodulation with multimodal neuroimaging (TMS, fMRI, DTI), this research aims to overcome the limitations of current approaches, provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms of motor aging, and lay the groundwork for targeted neurorehabilitation strategies.

01 November 2026 - 31 October 2030