Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
19:57
The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Published on: August 5, 2017
Cerebellar theta burst stimulation impairs eyeblink classical conditioning
Britt S Hoffland1, Matteo Bologna, Panagiotis Kassavetis
1Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
The Journal of Physiology
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) applied to the cerebellum impacts eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) acquisition. This non-invasive technique offers a way to study cerebellar function and physiology in humans.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebellar Physiology
- Non-invasive Brain Stimulation
Background:
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocols, including theta burst stimulation (TBS), modulate cortical excitability via synaptic plasticity mechanisms.
- The cerebellum's role in motor learning and conditioning suggests it may also be influenced by TBS, despite its anatomical location.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) applied to the cerebellum affects eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC).
- To explore the potential of cerebellar TBS as a tool for understanding cerebellar physiology and function in humans.
Main Methods:
- Thirty healthy volunteers underwent cTBS over the right cerebellar hemisphere.
- Eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) acquisition and retention were assessed before and after cTBS.
- Control experiments evaluated motor cortical excitability and sensory disturbances.
Main Results:
- Cerebellar cTBS led to fewer conditioned responses and earlier onsets during EBCC acquisition.
- No significant effect of cerebellar cTBS was observed on EBCC re-acquisition days later or in non-naïve subjects.
- Control experiments ruled out motor cortical excitability changes or sensory disturbances as causes for the observed effects.
Conclusions:
- Cerebellar cTBS has a measurable, focal effect on cerebellar cortical function, specifically impacting EBCC acquisition.
- These findings support the use of cerebellar TBS as a valuable non-invasive method for exploring cerebellar physiology and function in humans.
