EEG-dependent ERP recording: using TMS to increase the incidence of a selected pre-stimulus pattern

EEG dependent event-related potential (ERP) recording (interactive ERP) is an extension to ERP paradigms whereby stimuli are initiated in response to a selected pattern of background EEG. This form of recording is critically dependent upon the incidence of the particular pattern of interest. We introduce here a process that modifies the EEG in a predictable manner so as to increase the incidence of a particular pattern. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimuli are applied in response to a selected pattern of pre-TMS activity, and the post-TMS response is characterized by the incidence of a defined pattern of EEG activity. Analysis of validation test results obtained with the TMS modification part of the process verifies an increased incidence of the response pattern after TMS stimuli, compared with placebo stimuli. The TMS modification procedure is then combined with interactive ERP recording in a two step process to affect the ERP response to sensory stimuli. The post-TMS pattern from the first step becomes the pre-stimulus pattern of the interactive ERP recording in the second step. The TMS modified interactive ERP (TMIERP) process is illustrated here using an auditory oddball paradigm. The amplitude of the P300 peak obtained using this process was significantly higher than that obtained using the standard auditory oddball paradigm.