Select one of the questions below to answer: 1- As discussed in lecture, some corticospinal neuronal firing in the primary motor cortex (M1) are specifically tuned to the level of applied force. Can subcortical areas also control the level of applied force? Is there any evidence for subcortical control of force levels in the basal ganglia and cerebellum? 2- Motor learning leads to long-term plasticity in cortical and subcortical areas of the brain. Recent evidence suggest that the spinal cord circuitry might also undergo long-term plasticity during learning new motor skills. Compare current evidence in favor and against this possibility. 3- Motor learning leads to long-term plasticity in cortical and subcortical areas of the brain. Recent evidence suggest that the brainstem circuitry might also undergo long-term plasticity during learning new motor skills. Compare current evidence in favor and against this possibility. 4- Spasticity is one of the major motor impairments after stroke. As discussed in lecture, spasticity is related to hyperexcitability of the spinal cord strength reflex. However, stroke causes lesions in the brain. Discuss how lesions at the level of brain might lead to changes in the spinal reflex pathways, leading to spasticity. 5- Neurogenesis can occur in the adult mammalian brain in the hippocampus. However, the evidence for neurogenesis in humans is obscure. Discuss recent evidence in favor and against neurogenesis in the adult human brain. Do you think neurogenesis occurs in the adult human brain? 6- Neural stem cell transplantation for neurotreatment after stroke is one of the hot topics of research in the field of stroke research. Based on current evidence, do you think this approach has enough potential for becoming a successful neurotreatment strategy after stroke? If no, what are the main obstacles? and if yes, what limitations need to be addressed? 7- Changes in the cortical gray matter thickness have been reported in humans after extensive motor learning. If there is no neurogenesis in the cortex of human adults, what are some possible mechanisms for these observed gray matter volumetric changes after learning? Discuss both neuronal and non-neuronal mechanisms.
