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Abstract #2133

Neural Plasticity of Brain Motor Networks in Professional Fencers Studied with Functional MRI

Laura Parisi1, Maria A. Rocca1, Letizia Leocani2, Roberto Gatti3, Carlotta Castellani2, Monica Rossi3, Andrea Falini4, Giancarlo Comi5, Massimo Filippi1

1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 2Dept. of Clinical Neurophysiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 3Rehabilitation Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 4Department of Neuroradiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 5Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy


Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated brain motor networks involved in interlimb coordination in 14 young high-level professional fencers in comparison to 15 matched young, untrained subjects while performing three different motor tasks (bimanual anti-phase, right hand-foot in-phase and right hand-foot anti-phase movements). Both single motor task analysis and voxel-wise analysis of functional connectivity with the motor cortex showed an optimization of the recruitment of the brain regions underlying interlimb coordination in fencers in comparison to controls, suggesting that specific intensive motor training can modulate neural plasticity of cerebro-cerebellar-basal ganglia loops and their functional connectivities.