Die rolle hippokampaler und striataler plastizitätsvorgänge für motorisches lernen

Neuroscience is now able to pinpoint how the neuronal processes in earlier stages of training are different from those in later stages if an improvement of motor skills has taken place. Long-term motor training is associated with changes in cortical representations of movement, which are also based on the development of new synapses and changes in their strength of transmission. Moreover, processes of consolidation occur after motor training, which lead to performance improvements. In this context sleep also plays a significant role. This article presents neuroscientific findings, focusing in particular on learning processes relevant for motor skills in the hippocampus, striatum and corticostriatal loops. The striatum serves as a gateway to the basal ganglia and is instrumental in planning, initiating and executing movements. The hippocampus is crucial for a coordinated assembly of memories and spatial orientation. It becomes evident that processes of synaptic plasticity are initiated in early stages of motor training and that these changes mediate delayed motor performance improvements and topographic reorganization in cortical representations of movement. These processes of neuroplasticity in the hippocampus, striatum and corticostriatal loops are influenced by dopamine. As unexpected successful motor action in sports is associated with higher dopamine release, these neuroscientific findings are of great importance for technique training in sports.