Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation Alters Corticospinal Output in Patients...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• Altering corticospinal excitability is a key target for improving outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI).
• Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique with potential to modulate neural output.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of iTBS on corticospinal excitability in individuals with chronic incomplete SCI.
• To assess the impact of iTBS delivered over motor and somatosensory cortices.

Main Methods:

• Eight individuals with chronic incomplete SCI participated in a sham-controlled study.
• Real or sham iTBS was applied over primary motor and somatosensory cortices.
• Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured before and after stimulation.

Main Results:

• iTBS demonstrated similar effects over both motor and somatosensory cortices.
• Reduced MEPs were observed in 56.25% of participants, while 25% showed increased MEPs.
• Sham stimulation produced effects in 18.25% of instances, highlighting the importance of control.

Conclusions:

• A single session of iTBS can induce short-term changes in corticospinal excitability in chronic SCI.
• Further research with sham-controlled randomized trials and multiple iTBS sessions is warranted to explore long-term functional improvements.