Transcranial cortical stimulation. Late excitability changes in the soleus and anterior tibial motoneurone pools

The effect of conditioning magnetic transcranial cortical stimulation (TCCS) on the excitability levels of the soleus and anterior tibial motoneurone pools was studied by Hmax/2 technique 40-400 msec after the stimulus. The target muscles were relaxed throughout the tests. Two periods of facilitation (the first at 80-100 msec and the second at 180-200 msec) were found. They shared approximately the same latencies as the late responses (S100 and S > 150) that we have previously recorded following TCCS. A period of inhibition that started at 150 msec was also recorded. A period of facilitation could also be noted when the conditioning stimulus was applied either over the deltoid muscle or when the click that accompanied the magnetic pulse was used. This suggests that brain-stem areas related to those of the startle reaction play an important role for the appearance of the facilitatory changes. The necessary input probably comes from both peripheral and cortical sources.