Exercise-induced changes in high-γ cortical functional connectivity and short-interval intracortical inhibition

IF 3.7 3区医学 Q1 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Clinical Neurophysiology Pub Date : 2025-03-09 DOI:10.1016/j.clinph.2025.02.274

Matteo Conti , Federico Carparelli , Roberta Bovenzi , Valerio Ferrari , Battista Di Gioia , Nicola Biagio Mercuri , Alessandro Stefani , Maria Giuseppina Palmieri

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

To analyze exercise-induced changes in functional connectivity (FC) using high-density EEG (HD-EEG) and primary motor cortex excitability via paired-pulse TMS (pp-TMS).

Methods

Ten healthy volunteers performed a 3 km high-intensity run. Neurophysiological assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), 24 h (T1), and 72 h (T2) post-exercise. FC was measured using HD-EEG, and primary motor cortex excitability was assessed with pp-TMS to measure short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and facilitation (ICF).

Results

At T1, a significant hyperconnected network in the high-γ band was observed in several brain regions, including sensorimotor, limbic, temporal, and occipital lobes, which normalized by T2. Additionally, pp-TMS revealed disinhibition (reduced SICI) in M1 at ISI 2–3 ms at T1.

Conclusions

The study highlighted specific features of exercise-induced central fatigue. Post-exercise, the primary motor cortex became hyperexcitable, possibly as a compensatory response to peripheral fatigue. A complex network of cortical areas involved in cognition and behavior was hyperactivated, likely reflecting awareness of fatigue and self-protection decision-making processes. These changes were reversible, allowing subjects to return to baseline conditions.

Significance

This research provides insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms of central fatigue, emphasizing the brain’s adaptive responses to intense physical activity and their temporal dynamics.

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来源期刊

Clinical Neurophysiology 医学-临床神经学

CiteScore

8.70

自引率

6.40%

发文量

932

审稿时长

59 days

期刊介绍： As of January 1999, The journal Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, and its two sections Electromyography and Motor Control and Evoked Potentials have amalgamated to become this journal - Clinical Neurophysiology. Clinical Neurophysiology is the official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, the Brazilian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, the Czech Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, the Italian Clinical Neurophysiology Society and the International Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiology.The journal is dedicated to fostering research and disseminating information on all aspects of both normal and abnormal functioning of the nervous system. The key aim of the publication is to disseminate scholarly reports on the pathophysiology underlying diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system of human patients. Clinical trials that use neurophysiological measures to document change are encouraged, as are manuscripts reporting data on integrated neuroimaging of central nervous function including, but not limited to, functional MRI, MEG, EEG, PET and other neuroimaging modalities.