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Prefrontal Theta-Phase Synchronized Brain Stimulation With Real-Time EEG-Triggered TMS
Pedro Caldana Gordon1,2, Sara Dörre1,2, Paolo Belardinelli1,2,3
1Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|July 8, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a real-time method to target specific phases of prefrontal theta oscillations using EEG-triggered TMS. This technique allows for precise brain stimulation, advancing cognitive neuroscience and personalized therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Prefrontal cortex theta oscillations are crucial for cognitive functions and neuronal communication.
- Real-time extraction of prefrontal theta rhythm is key for understanding cognitive processes and developing brain-state-dependent therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate individualized source-space beamforming for estimating prefrontal theta oscillations.
- To enable real-time EEG-triggered transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting specific theta phases in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC).
- To compare spatial filters and signal quality criteria for optimal theta oscillation extraction.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-two healthy participants underwent MRI and EEG recordings.
- Individualized spatial filters were calculated using EEG beamforming in source space.
- Real-time phase detection accuracy was simulated and validated with actual TMS triggering at specific theta phases.
Main Results:
- Individualized source-based spatial filters improved phase-detection accuracy compared to standard filters.
- Avoiding low theta amplitude and phase reset periods enhanced accuracy.
- Optimized parameters enabled prefrontal theta-phase synchronized TMS of DMPFC with ±55° accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated feasibility of real-time TMS triggering synchronized with prefrontal theta oscillations.
- This method is valuable for brain state-dependent stimulation in cognitive research.
- Enables personalized repetitive TMS protocols for neuropsychiatric disorder treatment.
