OBJECTIVE Priming non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can improve motor learning in the elderly, but it remains unclear how benefits observed in a single training session translate to multiple training sessions. The current study therefore examined the influence of priming NIBS on acquisition and retention of a novel motor skill over sequential training days in older adults. METHODS In 30 older adults (68.2 ± 5.3 years, 14 females), paired-associative stimulation (PAS) was applied prior to visuomotor training on 3 consecutive days. The interstimulus interval used for PAS was either 10 ms (PASLTD) or 100 ms (PASControl) and long-term retention was assessed by quantifying motor performance 7 days after the final training session. RESULTS During training, skill progressively increased across sessions (P < 0.0001), but this was not different between PASLTD and PASControl (P > 0.1). In contrast, the magnitude of skill retained 7 days after training was significantly greater in the PASLTD group (P = 0.02), suggesting significantly greater long-term retention of the trained skill. CONCLUSIONS PASLTD over multiple sessions may represent an effective tool to help maintain newly learned motor skills in older adults. SIGNIFICANCE While multisession priming with PAS can influence long-term skill retention, improving skill acquisition requires investigation of alternative protocols.

中文翻译：

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调查配对联想刺激对老年人多会话技能获得和保留的影响

目标启动非侵入性脑刺激 (NIBS) 可以改善老年人的运动学习，但尚不清楚在单次训练中观察到的好处如何转化为多次训练。因此，目前的研究检查了启动 NIBS 对老年人连续训练日内新运动技能的获得和保留的影响。方法 在 30 名老年人（68.2 ± 5.3 岁，14 名女性）中，连续 3 天在视觉运动训练之前应用配对联想刺激 (PAS)。用于 PAS 的刺激间隔为 10 ms (PASLTD) 或 100 ms (PASControl)，通过在最终训练课程后 7 天量化运动表现来评估长期保留。结果在训练期间，技能在各个课程中逐渐增加（P < 0.0001），但这在 PASLTD 和 PASControl 之间没有区别（P > 0.1）。相比之下，PASLTD 组在训练后 7 天保留的技能幅度显着更高（P = 0.02），表明训练后技能的长期保留率明显更高。结论 多次训练的 PASLTD 可能是帮助老年人保持新学习的运动技能的有效工具。意义 虽然使用 PAS 的多会话启动可以影响长期技能保留，但提高技能获取需要研究替代方案。结论 多次训练的 PASLTD 可能是帮助老年人保持新学习的运动技能的有效工具。意义 虽然使用 PAS 的多会话启动可以影响长期技能保留，但提高技能获取需要研究替代方案。结论 多次训练的 PASLTD 可能是帮助老年人保持新学习的运动技能的有效工具。意义 虽然使用 PAS 的多会话启动可以影响长期技能保留，但提高技能获取需要研究替代方案。