Motor imagery in REM sleep is increased by transcranial direct current stimulation of the left motor cortex (C3).
Neuropsychologia June 1, 2016 J. Speth, C. Speth
Applying anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the motor cortex (C3) during REM sleep increases both the quantity and quality of spontaneous motor imagery, including athletic motor imagery, compared to cathodal or sham stimulation. A randomized triple-blinded design combined neurophysiological techniques with quantitative analysis of mentation reports. The findings suggest that electrophysiological manipulation of motor imagery in REM sleep could eventually support rehabilitative tDCS protocols for temporarily immobile patients, such as those with dementia, infants with motor disorders, or coma patients, who cannot perform specific motor imagery tasks.