1
|
Arabacı G, Cakir BS, Parris BA. The effect of high-frequency rTMS over left DLPFC and fluid abilities on goal neglect. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:1073-1086. [PMID: 38519612 PMCID: PMC11147841 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02770-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Goal neglect refers to when an aspect of task instructions is not utilised due to increased competition between goal representations, an attentional limit theoretically linked to working memory. In an attempt to alleviate goal neglect and to investigate the association between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)-supported working memory and goal neglect, we used high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left DLPFC whilst participants completed the letter-monitoring task, a measure of goal neglect, and an N3-back task, a working memory task known to be affected by rTMS of the left DLPFC, following 20 min of active and sham stimulation (run on separate days). We found increased accuracy on the N3-back task in addition to decreased goal neglect in the active compared to sham condition when controlling for age and fluid abilities (as assessed by matrix reasoning performance). Furthermore, analysis showed that active stimulation improvements on both the N3-back and letter-monitoring tasks were greater for those with higher fluid abilities. These findings provide support for the link between the DLPFC-support working memory and goal neglect. Increased performance on the N3-back task also supports the literature reporting a link between left DLPFC and verbal working memory. Results are evaluated in the context of potential use to alleviate symptoms of disorders related to goal neglect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Arabacı
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, UK.
| | - Batuhan S Cakir
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, UK
| | - Benjamin A Parris
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen XY, Lian YH, Liu XH, Sikandar A, Li MC, Xu HL, Hu JP, Chen QL, Gan SR. Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Cerebellar Metabolism in Patients With Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:827993. [PMID: 35547622 PMCID: PMC9082263 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.827993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominant hereditary ataxia, and, thus far, effective treatment remains low. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve the symptoms of spinal cerebellar ataxia, but the mechanism is unclear; in addition, whether any improvement in the symptoms is related to cerebellar metabolism has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-frequency rTMS on local cerebellar metabolism in patients with SCA3 and the relationship between the improvement in the symptoms and cerebellar metabolism. Methods A double-blind, prospective, randomized, sham-controlled trial was carried out among 18 SCA3 patients. The participants were randomly assigned to the real stimulation group (n = 9) or sham stimulation group (n = 9). Each participant in both the groups underwent 30 min of 1 Hz rTMS stimulation (a total of 900 pulses), differing only in terms of stimulator placement, for 15 consecutive days. To separately compare pre- and post-stimulation data (magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) score) in the real and sham groups, paired-sample t-tests and Wilcoxon’s signed-rank tests were used in the analyses. The differences in the ICARS and MRS data between the two groups were analyzed with independent t-tests and covariance. To explore the association between the changes in the concentration of cerebellar metabolism and ICARS, we applied Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results After 15 days of treatment, the ICARS scores significantly decreased in both the groups, while the decrease was more significant in the real stimulation group compared to the sham stimulation group (p < 0.001). The analysis of covariance further confirmed that the total ICARS scores decreased more dramatically in the real stimulation group after treatment compared to the sham stimulation group (F = 31.239, p < 0.001). The values of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr in the cerebellar vermis, bilateral dentate nucleus, and bilateral cerebellar hemisphere increased significantly in the real stimulation group (p < 0.05), but no significant differences were found in the sham stimulation group (p > 0.05). The analysis of covariance also confirmed the greater change in the real stimulation group. This study also demonstrated that there was a negative correlation between NAA/Cr in the right cerebellar hemisphere and ICARS in the real stimulation group (r = − 0.831, p = 0.02). Conclusion The treatment with rTMS over the cerebellum was found to induce changes in the cerebellar local metabolism and microenvironment in the SCA3 patients. The alterations may contribute to the improvement of the symptoms of ataxia in SCA3 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yuan Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan-Hua Lian
- The School of Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xia-Hua Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Arif Sikandar
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Cheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hao-Ling Xu
- Department of Neurology, The 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ping Hu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qun-Lin Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qun-Lin Chen,
| | - Shi-Rui Gan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Shi-Rui Gan,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Stoby KS, Rafique SA, Oeltzschner G, Steeves JKE. Continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation to the visual cortex do not alter GABA and glutamate concentrations measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2478. [PMID: 35029058 PMCID: PMC8865152 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theta burst stimulation (TBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), uses repeated high-frequency bursts to non-invasively modulate neural processes in the brain. An intermittent TBS (iTBS) protocol is generally considered "excitatory," while continuous TBS (cTBS) is considered "inhibitory." However, the majority of work that has led to these effects being associated with the respective protocols has been done in the motor cortex, and it is well established that TMS can have variable effects across the brain. OBJECTIVES AND METHOD We investigated the effects of iTBS and cTBS to the primary visual cortex (V1) on composite levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid + co-edited macromolecules (GABA+) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) since these are key inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, respectively. Participants received a single session of cTBS, iTBS, or sham TBS to V1. GABA+ and Glx were quantified in vivo at the stimulation site using spectral-edited proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) at 3T. Baseline pre-TBS GABA+ and Glx levels were compared to immediate post-TBS and 1 h post-TBS levels. RESULTS There were no significant changes in GABA+ or Glx following either of the TBS conditions. Visual cortical excitability, measured using phosphene thresholds, remained unchanged following both cTBS and iTBS conditions. There was no relationship between excitability thresholds and GABA+ or Glx levels. However, TBS did alter the relationship between GABA+ and Glx for up to 1 h following stimulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that a single session of TBS to the visual cortex can be used without significant effects on the tonic levels of these key neurotransmitters; and add to our understanding that TBS has differential effects at visual, motor, and frontal cortices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karlene S Stoby
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sara A Rafique
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer K E Steeves
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Goldsworthy MR, Hordacre B, Rothwell JC, Ridding MC. Effects of rTMS on the brain: is there value in variability? Cortex 2021; 139:43-59. [PMID: 33827037 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The ability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to non-invasively induce neuroplasticity in the human cortex has opened exciting possibilities for its application in both basic and clinical research. Changes in the amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation has so far provided a convenient model for exploring the neurophysiology of rTMS effects on the brain, influencing the ways in which these stimulation protocols have been applied therapeutically. However, a growing number of studies have reported large inter-individual variability in the mean MEP response to rTMS, raising legitimate questions about the usefulness of this model for guiding therapy. Although the increasing application of different neuroimaging approaches has made it possible to probe rTMS-induced neuroplasticity outside the motor cortex to measure changes in neural activity that impact other aspects of human behaviour, the high variability of rTMS effects on these measurements remains an important issue for the field to address. In this review, we seek to move away from the conventional facilitation/inhibition dichotomy that permeates much of the rTMS literature, presenting a non-standard approach for measuring rTMS-induced neuroplasticity. We consider the evidence that rTMS is able to modulate an individual's moment-to-moment variability of neural activity, and whether this could have implications for guiding the therapeutic application of rTMS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell R Goldsworthy
- Lifespan Human Neurophysiology Group, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Brenton Hordacre
- Innovation, IMPlementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael C Ridding
- Innovation, IMPlementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cuypers K, Marsman A. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance spectroscopy: Opportunities for a bimodal approach in human neuroscience. Neuroimage 2020; 224:117394. [PMID: 32987106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been an increasing number of studies combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). MRS provides a manner to non-invasively investigate molecular concentrations in the living brain and thus identify metabolites involved in physiological and pathological processes. Particularly the MRS-detectable metabolites glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, are of interest when combining TMS and MRS. TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that can be applied either as a neuromodulation or neurostimulation tool, specifically targeting glutamatergic and GABAergic mechanisms. The combination of TMS and MRS can be used to evaluate alterations in brain metabolite levels following an interventional TMS protocol such as repetitive TMS (rTMS) or paired associative stimulation (PAS). MRS can also be combined with a variety of non-interventional TMS protocols to identify the interplay between brain metabolite levels and measures of excitability or receptor-mediated inhibition and facilitation. In this review, we provide an overview of studies performed in healthy and patient populations combining MRS and TMS, both as a measurement tool and as an intervention. TMS and MRS may reveal complementary and comprehensive information on glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. Potentially, connectivity changes and dedicated network interactions can be probed using the combined TMS-MRS approach. Considering the ongoing technical developments in both fields, combined studies hold future promise for investigations of brain network interactions and neurotransmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koen Cuypers
- Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium; REVAL Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building A, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Anouk Marsman
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Section 714, Kettegård Allé 30, 26500 Hvidovre, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gröhn H, Gillick BT, Tkáč I, Bednařík P, Mascali D, Deelchand DK, Michaeli S, Meekins GD, Leffler-McCabe MJ, MacKinnon CD, Eberly LE, Mangia S. Influence of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Human Neurochemistry and Functional Connectivity: A Pilot MRI/MRS Study at 7 T. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1260. [PMID: 31827419 PMCID: PMC6890551 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method commonly used in the disciplines of neuroscience, neurology, and neuropsychiatry to examine or modulate brain function. Low frequency rTMS (e.g., 1 Hz) is associated with a net suppression of cortical excitability, whereas higher frequencies (e.g., 5 Hz) purportedly increase excitability. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) allow investigation of neurochemistry and functional connectivity, respectively, and can assess the influence of rTMS in these domains. This pilot study investigated the effects of rTMS on the primary motor cortex using pre and post MRS and rsfMRI assessments at 7 T. Seven right-handed males (age 27 ± 7 y.o.) underwent single-voxel MRS and rsfMRI before and about 30-min after rTMS was administered outside the scanner for 20-min over the primary motor cortex of the left (dominant) hemisphere. All participants received 1-Hz rTMS; one participant additionally received 5-Hz rTMS in a separate session. Concentrations of 17 neurochemicals were quantified in left and right motor cortices. Connectivity metrics included fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) of both motor cortices, strength of related brain networks, and inter-hemispheric connectivity. The group-analysis revealed few trends (i.e., uncorrected for multiple comparisons), including a mean increase in the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) after the inhibitory rTMS protocol as compared to baseline in the stimulated (left) motor cortex (+8%, p = 0.043), along with a slight increase of total creatine (+2%, p = 0.018), and decrease of aspartate (-18%, p = 0.016). Additionally, GABA tended to decrease in the contralateral hemisphere (-6%, p = 0.033). No other changes of metabolite concentrations were found. Whereas functional connectivity outcomes did not exhibit trends of significant changes induced by rTMS, the percent changes of few connectivity metrics in both hemispheres were negatively correlated with GABA changes in the contralateral hemisphere. While studies in larger cohorts are needed to confirm these preliminary findings, our results indicate the safety and feasibility of detecting changes in key metabolites associated with neurotransmission after a single 1-Hz rTMS session, establishing the construct for future exploration of the neurochemical, and connectivity mechanisms of cortical responses to neuromodulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Gröhn
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Bernadette T Gillick
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Ivan Tkáč
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Petr Bednařík
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, High Field MR Centre, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniele Mascali
- Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche "Enrico Fermi", Rome, Italy
| | - Dinesh K Deelchand
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Shalom Michaeli
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Gregg D Meekins
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | - Colum D MacKinnon
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Lynn E Eberly
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Silvia Mangia
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Efficiency of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Estimation Using Goniometry and Dinamometry. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-019-09791-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|