Individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injury will complete a 10-week training protocol where they receive non-invasive brain stimulation and feedback on the size of the corresponding muscle response (wrist extensor). We will assess the impact of the brain stimulation training on 1) the brain-to-spinal cord-to-muscle connection and 2) motor functions of the arm and hand. Also, brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging will be collected before and after the training. The imaging measurements will tell us about how spinal damage, brain function, and brain structure relate to motor presentation and the response to the training.
The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of a brain stimulation training to improve the function of brain-spinal cord- muscle connections.Because brain-to-muscle pathways are very important in our movement control, restoring function of these pathways may improve movement problems after injuries. Spinal cord injury causes damage to the brain-to-muscle connection. However, when the injury is "incomplete", there is a possibility that some of the brain-to-muscle pathways are still connected and may be trained to improve movement function. For examining brain-to-muscle pathways, we use a transcranial magnetic stimulator. We hope that the results of this research study will help us develop new treatments for people who have movement disabilities. This study will require about 42 visits over the first 14 weeks, and another 6 visits over an additional 3 months. Each visit will take about 1 ½ hours.