脊髄損傷後の機能回復を支える大脳辺縁系と大脳皮質運動野の機能的神経結合

概要

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It is generally believed that depression impedes functional recovery after neuronal damage such as spinal-cord injury. Here we review our investigation of the neuronal mechanism underlying such psychological effects on functional recovery. We show that activity of the ventral striatum, which plays a critical role in processing of motivation, increased and its functional connectivity with motor cortex (M1) was progressively strengthened during the recovery. In addition, functional connectivity of the M1 with other structures belonging to the mesolimbic system was also strengthened. These results give clues to the neuronal substrate for motivational regulation of motor learning required for functional recovery.