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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Stimulating the Lip Motor Cortex with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: June 14, 2014
Hand perceptions induced by single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary motor cortex
Matteo Franza1, Giuliana Sorrentino1, Matteo Vissani2
1Center for Neuroprosthetics, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland; Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland; Center for Neuroprosthetics, School of Life Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Campus SUVA, Sion, Switzerland.
Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex evokes hand perceptions at a higher threshold than motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) or TMS-evoked movements. These perceptions are a distinct response to M1 stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Somatosensory Perception
Background:
- Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) can elicit motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and muscle twitches (TMS-evoked movements).
- While participants may report hand sensations, the relationship between TMS-evoked perceptions, MEPs, and movements remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate kinesthetic and somatosensory hand perceptions elicited by single-pulse TMS over the M1-hand area.
- To determine the relationship between these perceptions and MEPs/TMS-evoked movements at varying stimulation intensities.
Main Methods:
- Compared MEPs (electromyography), TMS-evoked movements (accelerometer), and subjective hand perceptions (verbal report) at different TMS intensities.
- Estimated the MEP amplitude and TMS-evoked movement acceleration required to trigger hand perceptions.
Main Results:
- TMS-evoked hand perceptions occurred at approximately 105% of the resting motor threshold.
- This perception threshold was significantly higher than that for MEPs (~100%) and TMS-evoked movements (~110%).
- MEPs > 0.62 mV and TMS-evoked movements > 0.42 m/s² were associated with hand perceptions at threshold.
Conclusions:
- TMS-evoked hand perception is a distinct response to single-pulse TMS over M1.
- It is separate from, but related to, MEPs and TMS-evoked movements.
- Characterizes the key features of TMS-evoked hand perception.
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