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.

为了诱导人类大脑可塑性，我们将优势上肢进行了为期两周的石膏固定，并使用每天 30 分钟的静息态功能 MRI (rs-fMRI) 扫描来跟踪功能连接的变化。铸造导致控制废弃肢体的皮质和小脑区域在功能上与躯体运动系统的其余部分断开，而废弃子电路内的内部连接得以维持。功能性脱节在 48 小时内就很明显，并在整个石膏期间不断发展，并在拆除石膏后逆转。在施法期间，大量自发的活动脉冲通过废弃的躯体运动子电路传播。成人大脑似乎依赖于定期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。