Research Summary
Dr. Cantarero's research aims to (a) understand the mechanisms of human motor learning in both healthy individuals and those that suffer from damage to the central nervous system, and (b) learn how to optimize motor learning and recovery. She studies neurophysiological mechanisms and neuroplasticity of motor learning and motor learning deficits in repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries.
Lab
The Human Brain Physiology and Stimulation Lab is focused on studying the mechanisms underlying motor learning and developing interventions to modulate motor function in humans. The aim is to understand how the central nervous system controls and learns to perform motor actions in healthy individuals and in patients with neurological diseases such as stroke. Using this knowledge, the ultimate goal is to develop strategies to enhance motor function in neurological patients.
Lab Website: Human Brain Physiology and Stimulation Laboratory
Technology Expertise Keywords
Transcranial magnetic stimulation; Transcranial direct current stimulation; Electromyography; Kinematic analyses
Selected Publications
View all on PubMed
Cantarero G, Spampinato D, Reis J, Ajagbe L, Thompson T, Kulkarni K, Celnik P. Cerebellar direct current stimulation enhances on-line motor skill acquisition through an effect on accuracy. J Neurosci. 2015 Feb 18;35(7):3285-90. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2885-14.2015. PMID: 25698763
Yau JM, Jalinous R, Cantarero GL, Desmond JE. Static field influences on transcranial magnetic stimulation: considerations for TMS in the scanner environment. Brain Stimul. 2014 May-Jun;7(3):388-93. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2014.02.007. Epub 2014 Feb 20. PMID: 24656916
Salas RE, Galea JM, Gamaldo AA, Gamaldo CE, Allen RP, Smith MT, Cantarero G, Lam BD, Celnik PA. Increased use-dependent plasticity in chronic insomnia. Sleep. 2014 Mar 1;37(3):535-44. doi: 10.5665/sleep.3492. PMID: 24587576
Cantarero G, Lloyd A, Celnik P. Reversal of long-term potentiation-like plasticity processes after motor learning disrupts skill retention. J Neurosci. 2013 Jul 31;33(31):12862-9. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1399-13.2013. PMID: 23904621
Cantarero G, Tang B, O'Malley R, Salas R, Celnik P. Motor learning interference is proportional to occlusion of LTP-like plasticity. J Neurosci. 2013 Mar 13;33(11):4634-41. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4706-12.2013. PMID: 23486938