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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Brain State-dependent Brain Stimulation with Real-time Electroencephalography-Triggered Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: August 20, 2019
Real-Time Brain-State-Coupled Corticocortical Paired Associative Stimulation of Cognitive Networks
D Blair Jovellar1, Sonia Turrini2, Paolo Belardinelli3,4
1Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72072, Germany blairjovellar@gmail.com ulf.ziemann@uni-tuebingen.de.
Summary
This study shows that theta phase-locked stimulation (POS) alters brain activity and connectivity, providing evidence for phase-gated spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) in humans. This opens new avenues for understanding brain network function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Brain networks rely on coordinated neuronal activity for cognition.
- Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) and neuronal oscillations are crucial for learning and network function.
- The interaction between STDP and oscillations in humans is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between STDP and neuronal oscillations in the human brain.
- To develop and test a novel method for brain-state-coupled stimulation.
- To provide empirical evidence for phase-gated STDP in humans.
Main Methods:
- Utilized corticocortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) with dual-site transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
- Implemented theta phase-locked ccPAS (POS) synchronized with ongoing theta oscillations.
- Concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) recorded evoked activity and network connectivity.
Main Results:
- Theta phase-locked ccPAS (POS) induced distinct changes in evoked EEG activity, including a polarity reversal of the N45 component.
- POS significantly altered frontoparietal (FP) connectivity in a frequency-specific manner compared to controls.
- These rapid network reconfigurations suggest phase-gated STDP modulates cortical excitability.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide the first empirical evidence for phase-gated STDP in humans.
- Oscillatory phase appears to gate cortical excitability and influence STDP efficacy.
- Future research will explore long-term plasticity and behavioral effects.
