APS
2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026
Motor Cortex Excitability Reflects Planning Demands during Complex Reaching Movements
- Deborah Barany
University of Georgia - Justin McCurdy
University of Georgia - Haleh Mahmoudi
University of Georgia - Nadine Mbughuni
University of Georgia
Abstract
We developed an upper-limb reaching task to assess how planning complexity modulates motor excitability. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied over motor cortex as participants (N = 30, 14 males, Mage = 21) performed cued and non-cued obstacle-avoidance reaches. Cued movements were associated with faster reaction times and enhanced motor excitability.
