SEMINAR: "Inducing and measuring plasticity in the human motor cortex using non-invasive brain stimulation."

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can induce functionally relevant plasticity in the human cortex. While there is great potential for these protocols to be used therapeutically in a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, clinical applicability is currently limited by high response variability. Ann-Maree's research has focused on understanding plasticity in the human motor cortex; specifically, understanding factors that influence plasticity induction in the human motor cortex and optimising brain stimulation protocols for non-invasive plasticity induction in the human cortex. In addition, Ann-Maree has used non-invasive brain stimulation to understand the role of altered plasticity in the pathophysiology of chronic pain. The aims of Ann-Maree's current research program are to (1) characterise age-related changes in functional connectivity in the cortical motor network, (2) identify relationships between functional connectivity changes and impairments in voluntary motor control.