Cortical Activation in Multiple Sclerosis During Foot-Tap Task
In a study evaluating a prolonged foot-tapping task (FTT), individuals with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) exhibited worse performance compared to healthy controls (HC), which was associated with reduced activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Additionally, while HC showed increased cortical activity in the supplementary motor area (SMA) over time, pwMS did not. Increased activity in the primary motor cortex (M1) was weakly linked to better foot tapping performance in pwMS.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
These findings suggest that pwMS may experience greater difficulties in motor tasks linked to specific brain regions than healthy individuals. Understanding the neural correlates of motor performance in MS can help inform future research into brain activity patterns associated with disease progression and fatigue, although caution is needed when extrapolating these findings to broader populations.
What this does not prove
The study does not address the long-term implications of the findings on MS progression or treatment. It is limited to a specific demographic of pwMS, which restricts the generalizability of the findings to all patients with MS.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-17
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceInvestigating fatigability and cortical activation during prolonged foot tapping in multiple sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2026.10.025
Supporting passages (5)
study designWe aimed to investigate the neural correlates of a prolonged foot-tap task (FTT) in pwMS and healthy controls (HC).
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-17
interventionWe aimed to investigate the neural correlates of a prolonged foot-tap task (FTT) in pwMS and healthy controls (HC).
findingsPwMS showed worse FTT performance with lower DLPFC activation compared to HC.
limitationsTitle: Investigating fatigability and cortical activation during prolonged foot tapping in multiple sclerosis.
AI assessment, not yet reviewed by a person · version 1 · Community votes are separate from evidence review.