Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined With Cognitive Training of Response Inhibition on...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with cognitive training (CT) is a potential method to improve response inhibition.
• The underlying neural mechanisms of rTMS + CT for response inhibition are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of rTMS + CT on brain oscillatory activity and theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling during the Stroop task.
• To explore the neural mechanisms of rTMS + CT in enhancing response inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Sixty healthy participants received four sessions of active or sham prolonged intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) + CT.
• iTBS was applied over the right inferior frontal cortex and pre-supplementary motor area.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded during the Stroop task before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in beta desynchronization was observed in the active rTMS + CT group during incongruent Stroop task trials.
• Changes in gamma synchronization differed between active and sham groups for congruent trials, but without significant pre-post changes.
• The findings suggest modulation of beta and gamma oscillations by iTBS + CT.

Conclusions:

• Four sessions of iTBS + CT may modulate beta and gamma oscillations during the Stroop task.
• These modulations suggest potential enhancement of motor inhibition and processing speed.
• The study provides neurophysiological insights into how rTMS + CT improves response inhibition.