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Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 5, 2017
Paired pulse TMS over the right posterior parietal cortex modulates visuospatial perception
Brigida Fierro1, Filippo Brighina, Giuseppe Giglia
1Dipartimento di Neurologia, Oftalmologia, Otorinolaringoiatria e Psichiatria, Università di Palermo, Via G. La Loggia, 90129, Palermo, Italy.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|May 30, 2006
Summary
Paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the right parietal cortex can improve visuospatial task performance in healthy individuals. A 5 ms inter-stimulus interval (ISI) effectively modulated brain activity, unlike single-pulse TMS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Previous research indicated right parietal single-pulse TMS can induce contralateral neglect.
- The posterior parietal cortex is crucial for visuospatial processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of parietal paired TMS on visuospatial task performance in healthy subjects.
- To determine the optimal inter-stimulus interval (ISI) for paired TMS modulation.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen healthy, right-handed subjects performed a line-length judgment task.
- Single-pulse and paired TMS (1, 3, 5, 10 ms ISIs) were applied to the right parietal cortex 150 ms post-stimulus.
Main Results:
- Single-pulse TMS induced a significant rightward bias.
- Paired TMS with 1 and 3 ms ISIs showed no significant difference from single-pulse TMS.
- A 5 ms ISI significantly improved performance, restoring baseline levels compared to single-pulse TMS and shorter ISIs.
Conclusions:
- Paired TMS, particularly with a 5 ms ISI, can modulate right posterior parietal cortex activity.
- This modulation can enhance visuospatial task performance in healthy individuals.
