OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated voluntary movement alterations as well as motor cortex excitability and plasticity changes in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). To investigate the pathophysiology of movement abnormalities in MCI, we tested possible relationships between movement abnormalities and primary motor cortex alterations in patients. METHODS Fourteen amnestic MCI (aMCI) patients and 16 healthy controls were studied. Cognitive assessment was performed using clinical scales. Finger tapping was recorded by a motion analysis system. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to test the input/output curve of motor evoked potentials, intracortical inhibition, and short-latency afferent inhibition. Primary motor cortex plasticity was probed by theta burst stimulation. We investigated correlations between movement abnormalities, clinical scores, and cortical neurophysiological parameters. RESULTS MCI patients showed less rhythmic movement but no other movement abnormalities. Cortical excitability measures were normal in patients, whereas plasticity was reduced. Movement rhythm abnormalities correlated with frontal dysfunction scores. CONCLUSION Our study in MCI patients demonstrated abnormal voluntary movement and plasticity changes, with no correlation between the two. Altered rhythm correlated with frontal dysfunction. SIGNIFICANCE Our results contribute to the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of motor impairment in MCI.

中文翻译：

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通过运动学分析和经颅磁刺激测试的轻度认知障碍的运动功能障碍

目的 先前的研究已经证明轻度认知障碍 (MCI) 患者的随意运动改变以及运动皮层兴奋性和可塑性变化。为了研究 MCI 运动异常的病理生理学，我们测试了患者运动异常与初级运动皮层改变之间可能的关系。方法 研究了 14 名遗忘型 MCI (aMCI) 患者和 16 名健康对照。使用临床量表进行认知评估。手指敲击由运动分析系统记录。经颅磁刺激用于测试运动诱发电位、皮质内抑制和短潜伏传入抑制的输入/输出曲线。初级运动皮层可塑性通过 theta 爆发刺激进行探测。我们调查了运动异常、临床评分和皮质神经生理参数之间的相关性。结果 MCI 患者表现出较少的节律性运动，但没有其他运动异常。患者的皮质兴奋性测量正常，而可塑性降低。运动节律异常与额叶功能障碍评分相关。结论 我们在 MCI 患者中的研究表明异常的随意运动和可塑性变化，两者之间没有相关性。改变的节律与额叶功能障碍相关。意义 我们的研究结果有助于理解 MCI 运动障碍的病理生理机制。患者的皮质兴奋性测量正常，而可塑性降低。运动节律异常与额叶功能障碍评分相关。结论 我们在 MCI 患者中的研究表明异常的随意运动和可塑性变化，两者之间没有相关性。改变的节律与额叶功能障碍相关。意义 我们的研究结果有助于理解 MCI 运动障碍的病理生理机制。患者的皮质兴奋性测量正常，而可塑性降低。运动节律异常与额叶功能障碍评分相关。结论 我们在 MCI 患者中的研究表明异常的随意运动和可塑性变化，两者之间没有相关性。改变的节律与额叶功能障碍相关。意义 我们的研究结果有助于理解 MCI 运动障碍的病理生理机制。