Reproducibility of TMS—Evoked EEG responses

TLDR

nTMS‑EEG enables noninvasive assessment of cortical excitability and connectivity in humans. The study examined nTMS‑EEG reproducibility in seven healthy subjects across a one‑week interval. TMS was delivered at 90–110 % motor threshold using a neuronavigation system for precise coil placement, and responses were recorded with a 60‑channel TMS‑compatible EEG amplifier. nTMS‑EEG responses showed high reproducibility (r > 0.80) across hemispheres and stimulation sites, indicating its reliability for test‑retest studies of cortical excitability. © 2008 Wiley‑Liss, Inc.; published in Hum Brain Mapp, 2009.

Abstract

Abstract Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (nTMS‐EEG), allows noninvasive studies of cortical excitability and connectivity in humans. We investigated the reproducibility of nTMS‐EEG in seven healthy subjects by repeating left motor and prefrontal cortical stimulation with a 1‐week interval. TMS was applied at three intensities: 90, 100, and 110% of subjects' motor threshold (MT). The TMS‐compatible neuronavigation system guaranteed precise repositioning of the stimulation coil. The responses were recorded by a 60‐channel whole head TMS‐compatible EEG amplifier. A high overall reproducibility ( r > 0.80) was evident in nTMS‐EEG responses over both hemispheres for both motor and prefrontal cortical stimulation. The results suggest that nTMS‐EEG is a reliable tool for studies investigating cortical excitability changes in the test‐retest designs. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.