Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Modulating Cognition Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Cerebellum
Published on: February 15, 2015
Modulating cerebello-thalamocortical pathways by neuronavigated cerebellar repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS)
B Langguth1, P Eichhammer, M Zowe
1Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse, 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany. Berthold.Langguth@medbo.de
Objectives:
Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunctions of the cortico-cerebello-thalamocortical circuit are involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. This study explores the effects of cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cerebello-thalamocortical pathways.
Methods:
Ten healthy volunteers received MRI-guided rTMS in four separate sessions (120% motor threshold, 1000 stimuli) over either the medial or the right lateral cerebellum using frequencies of 1 and 10 Hz. Motor cortex excitability was assessed before and after the intervention by paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Results:
Depending on stimulation frequency, cerebellar rTMS differentially modified intracortical inhibition. Low frequency rTMS increased short intracortical inhibition (SICI), whereas high frequency rTMS had no significant effect on SICI.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that rTMS over the cerebellum can modulate cerebello-thalamocortical pathways in a frequency-specific manner.
