Mary C. Stephenson
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1
Total Citations
234
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About
Mary C. Stephenson is a leading researcher in the neurobiology of learning and memory, with a focus on how non-invasive brain stimulation interacts with brain chemistry to shape behavior. Her work bridges advanced neuroimaging and neuromodulation, particularly using ultra-high-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy to probe neurotransmitter dynamics. In her landmark 2014 study, cited over 230 times, she demonstrated that tDCS-induced changes in GABA concentration within the primary motor cortex predict both motor learning and motor memory consolidation, providing the first direct evidence linking stimulation-driven neurochemical shifts to behavioral outcomes. This finding has profound implications for rehabilitation and skill acquisition. Stephenson’s research has helped establish a mechanistic framework for understanding how tDCS alters cortical excitability and plasticity, moving the field beyond correlational studies toward causal models. Her work is widely recognized for its methodological rigor and translational potential, making her a key figure in the quest to optimize brain stimulation for enhancing human performance and recovery.
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