To induce brain plasticity in humans, we casted the dominant upper extremity for 2 weeks and tracked changes in functional connectivity using daily 30-min scans of resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Casting caused cortical and cerebellar regions controlling the disused extremity to functionally disconnect from the rest of the somatomotor system, while internal connectivity within the disused sub-circuit was maintained. Functional disconnection was evident within 48 h, progressed throughout the cast period, and reversed after cast removal. During the cast period, large, spontaneous pulses of activity propagated through the disused somatomotor sub-circuit. The adult brain seems to rely on regular use to maintain its functional architecture. Disuse-driven spontaneous activity pulses may help preserve functionally disconnected sub-circuits.

为了诱导人类的大脑可塑性，我们将主要的上肢投射了 2 周，并使用每天 30 分钟的静息状态功能 MRI (rs-fMRI) 扫描跟踪功能连接的变化。铸造导致控制废用肢体的皮层和小脑区域在功能上与躯体运动系统的其余部分断开连接，同时维持废用子电路内的内部连接。功能性断开在 48 小时内明显，在整个铸造期间进展，并在去除铸件后逆转。在施法期间，大的、自发的活动脉冲通过废弃的躯体运动子电路传播。成人大脑似乎依靠经常使用来维持其功能结构。废弃驱动的自发活动脉冲可能有助于保留功能上断开的子电路。