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Eysel UT, Jancke D. Induction of excitatory brain state governs plastic functional changes in visual cortical topology. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:531-547. [PMID: 38041743 PMCID: PMC10978694 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Adult visual plasticity underlying local remodeling of the cortical circuitry in vivo appears to be associated with a spatiotemporal pattern of strongly increased spontaneous and evoked activity of populations of cells. Here we review and discuss pioneering work by us and others about principles of plasticity in the adult visual cortex, starting with our study which showed that a confined lesion in the cat retina causes increased excitability in the affected region in the primary visual cortex accompanied by fine-tuned restructuring of neuronal function. The underlying remodeling processes was further visualized with voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging that allowed a direct tracking of retinal lesion-induced reorganization across horizontal cortical circuitries. Nowadays, application of noninvasive stimulation methods pursues the idea further of increased cortical excitability along with decreased inhibition as key factors for the induction of adult cortical plasticity. We used high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), for the first time in combination with VSD optical imaging, and provided evidence that TMS-amplified excitability across large pools of neurons forms the basis for noninvasively targeting reorganization of orientation maps in the visual cortex. Our review has been compiled on the basis of these four own studies, which we discuss in the context of historical developments in the field of visual cortical plasticity and the current state of the literature. Overall, we suggest markers of LTP-like cortical changes at mesoscopic population level as a main driving force for the induction of visual plasticity in the adult. Elevations in excitability that predispose towards cortical plasticity are most likely a common property of all cortical modalities. Thus, interventions that increase cortical excitability are a promising starting point to drive perceptual and potentially motor learning in therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf T Eysel
- Department of Neurophysiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Dirk Jancke
- Optical Imaging Group, Institut für Neuroinformatik, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
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2
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Siebner HR, Funke K, Aberra AS, Antal A, Bestmann S, Chen R, Classen J, Davare M, Di Lazzaro V, Fox PT, Hallett M, Karabanov AN, Kesselheim J, Beck MM, Koch G, Liebetanz D, Meunier S, Miniussi C, Paulus W, Peterchev AV, Popa T, Ridding MC, Thielscher A, Ziemann U, Rothwell JC, Ugawa Y. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain: What is stimulated? - A consensus and critical position paper. Clin Neurophysiol 2022; 140:59-97. [PMID: 35738037 PMCID: PMC9753778 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial (electro)magnetic stimulation (TMS) is currently the method of choice to non-invasively induce neural activity in the human brain. A single transcranial stimulus induces a time-varying electric field in the brain that may evoke action potentials in cortical neurons. The spatial relationship between the locally induced electric field and the stimulated neurons determines axonal depolarization. The induced electric field is influenced by the conductive properties of the tissue compartments and is strongest in the superficial parts of the targeted cortical gyri and underlying white matter. TMS likely targets axons of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The propensity of individual axons to fire an action potential in response to TMS depends on their geometry, myelination and spatial relation to the imposed electric field and the physiological state of the neuron. The latter is determined by its transsynaptic dendritic and somatic inputs, intrinsic membrane potential and firing rate. Modeling work suggests that the primary target of TMS is axonal terminals in the crown top and lip regions of cortical gyri. The induced electric field may additionally excite bends of myelinated axons in the juxtacortical white matter below the gyral crown. Neuronal excitation spreads ortho- and antidromically along the stimulated axons and causes secondary excitation of connected neuronal populations within local intracortical microcircuits in the target area. Axonal and transsynaptic spread of excitation also occurs along cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical connections, impacting on neuronal activity in the targeted network. Both local and remote neural excitation depend critically on the functional state of the stimulated target area and network. TMS also causes substantial direct co-stimulation of the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral co-excitation propagates centrally in auditory and somatosensory networks, but also produces brain responses in other networks subserving multisensory integration, orienting or arousal. The complexity of the response to TMS warrants cautious interpretation of its physiological and behavioural consequences, and a deeper understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of TMS will be critical for advancing it as a scientific and therapeutic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hartwig R Siebner
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Klaus Funke
- Department of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Aman S Aberra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrea Antal
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sven Bestmann
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Chen
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network and Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marco Davare
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Peter T Fox
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anke N Karabanov
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Nutrition and Exercise, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janine Kesselheim
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Mikkel M Beck
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Giacomo Koch
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Laboratorio di NeurologiaClinica e Comportamentale, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - David Liebetanz
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sabine Meunier
- Sorbonne Université, Faculté de Médecine, INSERM U 1127, CNRS 4 UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Carlo Miniussi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Italy; Cognitive Neuroscience Section, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di DioFatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Walter Paulus
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Angel V Peterchev
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Traian Popa
- Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland; Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL Valais), Clinique Romande de Réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Michael C Ridding
- University of South Australia, IIMPACT in Health, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Axel Thielscher
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yoshikazu Ugawa
- Department of Neurology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan; Fukushima Global Medical Science Centre, Advanced Clinical Research Centre, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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Sensory recruitment in visual short-term memory: A systematic review and meta-analysis of sensory visual cortex interference using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Psychon Bull Rev 2022; 29:1594-1624. [PMID: 35606595 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-022-02107-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sensory visual areas are involved in encoding information in visual short-term memory (VSTM). Yet it remains unclear whether sensory visual cortex is a necessary component of the brain network for maintenance of information in VSTM. Here, we aimed to systematically review studies that have investigated the role of the sensory visual cortex in VSTM using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and to quantitatively explore these effects using meta-analyses. Fourteen studies were identified and reviewed. Eight studies provided sufficient data for meta-analysis. Two meta-analyses, one regarding the VSTM encoding phase (17 effect sizes) and one regarding the VSTM maintenance phase (15 effect sizes), two meta-regressions (32 effect sizes in each), and one exploratory meta-analysis were conducted. Our results indicate that the sensory visual cortex is similarly involved in both the encoding and maintenance VSTM phase. We suggest that some cases where evidence did not show significant TMS effects was due to low memory or perceptual task demands. Overall, these findings support the idea that sensory visual areas are part of the brain network responsible for successfully maintaining information in VSTM.
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State-dependent effects of neural stimulation on brain function and cognition. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:459-475. [PMID: 35577959 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00598-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation methods are widely used in neuroscience to establish causal relationships between distinct brain regions and the sensory, cognitive and motor functions they subserve. When combined with concurrent brain imaging, such stimulation methods can reveal patterns of neuronal activity responsible for regulating simple and complex behaviours at the level of local circuits and across widespread networks. Understanding how fluctuations in physiological states and task demands might influence the effects of brain stimulation on neural activity and behaviour is at the heart of how we use these tools to understand cognition. Here we review the concept of such 'state-dependent' changes in brain activity in response to neural stimulation, and consider examples from research on altered states of consciousness (for example, sleep and anaesthesia) and from task-based manipulations of selective attention and working memory. We relate relevant findings from non-invasive methods used in humans to those obtained from direct electrical and optogenetic stimulation of neuronal ensembles in animal models. Given the widespread use of brain stimulation as a research tool in the laboratory and as a means of augmenting or restoring brain function, consideration of the influence of changing physiological and cognitive states is crucial for increasing the reliability of these interventions.
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Rezayat E, Clark K, Dehaqani MRA, Noudoost B. Dependence of Working Memory on Coordinated Activity Across Brain Areas. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 15:787316. [PMID: 35095433 PMCID: PMC8792503 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.787316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural signatures of working memory (WM) have been reported in numerous brain areas, suggesting a distributed neural substrate for memory maintenance. In the current manuscript we provide an updated review of the literature focusing on intracranial neurophysiological recordings during WM in primates. Such signatures of WM include changes in firing rate or local oscillatory power within an area, along with measures of coordinated activity between areas based on synchronization between oscillations. In comparing the ability of various neural signatures in any brain area to predict behavioral performance, we observe that synchrony between areas is more frequently and robustly correlated with WM performance than any of the within-area neural signatures. We further review the evidence for alteration of inter-areal synchrony in brain disorders, consistent with an important role for such synchrony during behavior. Additionally, results of causal studies indicate that manipulating synchrony across areas is especially effective at influencing WM task performance. Each of these lines of research supports the critical role of inter-areal synchrony in WM. Finally, we propose a framework for interactions between prefrontal and sensory areas during WM, incorporating a range of experimental findings and offering an explanation for the observed link between intra-areal measures and WM performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rezayat
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
| | - Kelsey Clark
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Mohammad-Reza A. Dehaqani
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
- Cognitive Systems Laboratory, Control and Intelligent Processing Center of Excellence (CIPCE), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrad Noudoost
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- *Correspondence: Behrad Noudoost,
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6
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Zhao X, Ding J, Pan H, Zhang S, Pan D, Yu H, Ye Z, Hua T. Anodal and cathodal tDCS modulate neural activity and selectively affect GABA and glutamate syntheses in the visual cortex of cats. J Physiol 2020; 598:3727-3745. [PMID: 32506434 DOI: 10.1113/jp279340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS The present study showed that anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can respectively increase and decrease the amplitude of visually evoked field potentials in the stimulated visual cortex of cats, with the effect lasting for ∼60-70 min. We directly measured tDCS-induced changes in the concentration of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the visual cortex using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and showed that anodal and cathodal tDCS can selectively decrease the concentration of GABA and glutamate in the stimulated cortical area. Anodal and cathodal tDCS can selectively inhibit the synthesis of GABA and glutamate by suppressing the expression of GABA- and glutamate-synthesizing enzymes, respectively. ABSTRACT Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) evokes long-lasting neuronal excitability in the target brain region. The underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study examined tDCS-induced alterations in neuronal activities, as well as the concentration and synthesis of GABA and glutamate (GLU), in area 21a (A21a) of cat visual cortex. Our analysis showed that anodal and cathodal tDCS respectively enhanced and suppressed neuronal activities in A21a, as indicated by a significantly increased and decreased amplitude of visually evoked field potentials (VEPs). The tDCS-induced effect lasted for ∼60-70 min. By contrast, sham tDCS had no significant impact on the VEPs in A21a. On the other hand, the concentration of GABA, but not that of GLU, in A21a significantly decreased after anodal tDCS relative to sham tDCS, whereas the concentration of GLU, but not that of GABA, in A21a significantly decreased after cathodal tDCS relative to sham tDCS. Furthermore, the expression of GABA-synthesizing enzymes GAD65 and GAD67 in A21a significantly decreased in terms of both mRNA and protein concentrations after anodal tDCS relative to sham tDCS, whereas that of GLU-synthesizing enzyme glutaminase (GLS) did not change significantly after anodal tDCS. By contrast, both mRNA and protein concentrations of GLS in A21a significantly decreased after cathodal tDCS relative to sham tDCS, whereas those of GAD65/GAD67 showed no significant change after cathodal tDCS. Taken together, these results indicate that anodal and cathodal tDCS may selectively reduce GABA and GLU syntheses and thus respectively enhance and suppress neuronal excitability in the stimulated brain area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Jian Ding
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Huijun Pan
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Shen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Deng Pan
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Hao Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Zheng Ye
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Tianmiao Hua
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
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7
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Kantak S, Luchmee D. Contralesional motor cortex is causally engaged during more dexterous actions of the paretic hand after stroke-A Preliminary report. Neurosci Lett 2020; 720:134751. [PMID: 31931032 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bilateral activation in motor cortex is observed during paretic hand performance after stroke; however the functional significance of contralesional motor cortex (C-M1) activation is highly debated. Particularly, it is not known if task characteristics such as dexterity influence the causal engagement of C-M1 during paretic hand performance. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to quantify motor corticospinal physiology of the CM1 projecting to the contralateral resting extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) while eleven participants with unilateral stroke performed unimanual tasks of differing dexterity with their paretic hand. The novel finding was that compared to rest and less dexterous task (LDT), more dexterous task (MDT) performance led to increased corticospinal excitability and decreased intracortical inhibition of the C-M1 projecting to the resting FDI, but not resting ECRB. Further, using trains of repetitive TMS during MDT and LDT, we tested the behavioral relevance of C-M1 for paretic hand performance. Online rTMS perturbation to C-M1, but not to the vertex or sham stimulation led to significantly more movement errors during MDT without consistently affecting LDT performance. The present results argue for a beneficial role of C-M1 for accurate performance during dexterous motor actions with the paretic hand after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailesh Kantak
- Neuroplasticity and Motor Behavior Laboratory, Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Elkins Park, PA, United States; Department of Physical Therapy, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA, United States.
| | - Dustin Luchmee
- Neuroplasticity and Motor Behavior Laboratory, Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Elkins Park, PA, United States
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Romero MC, Davare M, Armendariz M, Janssen P. Neural effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation at the single-cell level. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2642. [PMID: 31201331 PMCID: PMC6572776 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can non-invasively modulate neural activity in humans. Despite three decades of research, the spatial extent of the cortical area activated by TMS is still controversial. Moreover, how TMS interacts with task-related activity during motor behavior is unknown. Here, we applied single-pulse TMS over macaque parietal cortex while recording single-unit activity at various distances from the center of stimulation during grasping. The spatial extent of TMS-induced activation is remarkably restricted, affecting the spiking activity of single neurons in an area of cortex measuring less than 2 mm in diameter. In task-related neurons, TMS evokes a transient excitation followed by reduced activity, paralleled by a significantly longer grasping time. Furthermore, TMS-induced activity and task-related activity do not summate in single neurons. These results furnish crucial experimental evidence for the neural effects of TMS at the single-cell level and uncover the neural underpinnings of behavioral effects of TMS. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can modulate human brain activity, but the extent of the cortical area activated by TMS is unclear. Here, the authors show that TMS affects monkey single neuron activity in an area less than 2 mm diameter, while TMS-induced activity and task-related activity do not summate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Romero
- Laboratorium voor Neuro- en Psychofysiologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Onderzoeksgroep Bewegingscontrole & Neuroplasticiteit, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Leuven Brain Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Marco Davare
- Onderzoeksgroep Bewegingscontrole & Neuroplasticiteit, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Leuven Brain Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Marcelo Armendariz
- Laboratorium voor Neuro- en Psychofysiologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Janssen
- Laboratorium voor Neuro- en Psychofysiologie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) holds promise as a tool for noninvasively facilitating plastic changes in cortical networks. However, highly resolved visualization of its modulatory effects remains elusive because current neuroimaging techniques applicable in humans are limited in spatiotemporal resolution. Here we used an imaging approach with voltage-sensitive dye and tracked, at submillimeter range, TMS-induced plastic changes across cat primary visual cortex. We show that high-frequency 10-Hz TMS induces a state where visual cortical maps are transiently “destabilized.” In turn, the cortex was sensitized to a bias in input—here imposed by prolonged exposure to a single visual orientation—and primed to relearn connectivity patterns. These findings implicate an early post-TMS time window for promising therapeutic interventions through TMS. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has become a popular clinical method to modify cortical processing. The events underlying TMS-induced functional changes remain, however, largely unknown because current noninvasive recording methods lack spatiotemporal resolution or are incompatible with the strong TMS-associated electrical field. In particular, an answer to the question of how the relatively unspecific nature of TMS stimulation leads to specific neuronal reorganization, as well as a detailed picture of TMS-triggered reorganization of functional brain modules, is missing. Here we used real-time optical imaging in an animal experimental setting to track, at submillimeter range, TMS-induced functional changes in visual feature maps over several square millimeters of the brain’s surface. We show that high-frequency TMS creates a transient cortical state with increased excitability and increased response variability, which opens a time window for enhanced plasticity. Visual stimulation (i.e., 30 min of passive exposure) with a single orientation applied during this TMS-induced permissive period led to enlarged imprinting of the chosen orientation on the visual map across visual cortex. This reorganization was stable for hours and was characterized by a systematic shift in orientation preference toward the trained orientation. Thus, TMS can noninvasively trigger a targeted large-scale remodeling of fundamentally mature functional architecture in early sensory cortex.
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10
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Fiori F, Candidi M, Acciarino A, David N, Aglioti SM. The right temporoparietal junction plays a causal role in maintaining the internal representation of verticality. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:2983-90. [PMID: 26400254 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00289.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Perception of the visual vertical is strongly based on our ability to match visual inflow with vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and even visceral information that contributes to maintaining an internal representation of the vertical. An important cortical region implicated in multisensory integration is the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ), which also is involved in higher order forms of body- and space-related cognition. To test whether this region integrates body-related multisensory information necessary for establishing the subjective visual vertical, we combined a psychophysical task (the rod-and-frame test) with transient inhibition of the rTPJ via continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). A Gabor patch visual detection task was used as a control visual task. cTBS of early visual cortex (V1-V3) was used to test whether early visual cortices played any role in verticality estimation. We show that inhibition of rTPJ activity selectively impairs the ability to evaluate the rod's verticality when no contextual visual information, such as a frame surrounding the rod, is provided. Conversely, transient inhibition of V1-V3 selectively disrupts the ability to visually detect Gabor patch orientation. This anatomofunctional dissociation supports the idea that the rTPJ plays a causal role in integrating egocentric sensory information encoded in different reference systems (i.e., vestibular and somatic) to maintain an internal representation of verticality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fiori
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy; and
| | - Matteo Candidi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy; and
| | - Adriano Acciarino
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy; and
| | - Nicole David
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Salvatore Maria Aglioti
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy; and
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