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Conducting interslice stimulation for concurrent TMS-fMRI
J B Jackson1, C L Scrivener2, M M Correia1
1MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Rd, Cambridge CB2 7EF, UK.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|June 8, 2025
Summary
Synchronizing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with functional MRI (fMRI) is feasible using interslice gaps, minimizing data artifacts. This technique allows for flexible timing of TMS pulses and MRI acquisition for brain research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Concurrent Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) enable causal inference in brain-behavior relationships.
- TMS pulses can introduce artifacts into fMRI data, necessitating artifact mitigation strategies.
- Interslice TMS-fMRI, where TMS pulses are delivered during MRI slice acquisition gaps, offers a potential solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide guidance on the required interslice gap for artifact-free TMS-fMRI.
- To develop a framework and code for researchers to test their TMS-fMRI protocols.
- To quantify the impact of TMS pulses on fMRI data quality.
Main Methods:
- TMS-fMRI data were collected using a Siemens 3T Prismafit scanner with a multiband sequence (factor=2).
- Signal dropout and temporal signal-to-noise ratio were quantified using a spherical phantom with TMS pulses delivered at varying timings relative to slice excitation (-100 ms to +100 ms).
- Experiments included interslice gaps of 37.5 ms/100 ms, up to 3 pulses per volume, and TMS-dedicated surface coils, with a subset repeated on a human participant.
Main Results:
- Minimal fMRI data contamination was observed when TMS pulses were applied at least -20 ms/ +50 ms from slice excitation.
- The interslice TMS-fMRI approach was confirmed to be compatible with 10 Hz TMS.
- Data quality was influenced by stimulator intensity, slice orientation, and the number of TMS pulses.
Conclusions:
- A 10 Hz TMS interslice protocol is viable with minimal data contamination.
- Stimulation frequencies exceeding 10 Hz would necessitate shorter interslice gaps or slice acquisition times.
- Researchers must consider stimulator intensity, slice orientation, and pulse number for optimal TMS-fMRI protocol design.
