Module A - Non-invasive brain stimulation Flashcards
Describe transcranial magnetic stimulation:
Use a plastic covered coil and a capacitor with a huge charge
This creates a brief magnetic field (2.2T ~50ms (most clinically induced magnetic fields are 1.5T)
The magnetic field strength decays exponentially
Perpendicular direction to coil has eddying currents in the opposite direction
Describe the side-effects of TMS:
Safe and painless for most people
A good way of activating cortical neurons in the brain
What results from local depolarisation of the axonal membrane induced by TMS and how are these results detected:
Evoked neural activity (EEG)
Changes in blood flow and metabolism (PET, fMRI)
Muscle twitch (EMG)
Behavioural changes
What type of waves are produced when a single TMS pulse is applied?
I waves (produced by interneurons) Inhibitory interneurons mainly synapse with interneurons
When does SICF occur?
Short interval cortical facilitation occurs when S2 follows S1 by temporal summation
Which types of stimulation induce D waves and late I waves?
Electrical stimulation induces D waves
LM and PA TMS induce late I waves
How can TMS be used to detect CNS conditions?
Can check if connections are present after stroke
Can observe a slowing of conduction velocities in MS
Where does the corticomotor pathway go?
From the motor cortex to the spinal cord to the motor unit
What is the motor threshold (MT)?
Weakest stimulus that will produce an MEP on 4/8 trials
Measured in % maximum simulator output
What are the MEP amplitudes at rest and during muscle activity?
At least 0.05mV at rest
At least 0.10mV during activity
Describe recruitment curves of the corticospinal projections:
Increasing stimulus intensity increases the amplitude of the MEP
Slope is a measure of corticomotor excitability
Recruitment of neurons (lowest firing threshold first)
Recruitment of motor units (smallest first)
Affected by background muscle activity
Describe paired-pulse TMS:
Test stimulus (produce an MEP) Conditioning stimulus (precedes test stimulus, effect depends on intensity and inter-stimulus interval)
Describe short interval intracortical inhibitions (SICI):
Interstimulus intervals between 1 and 5 ms
Conditioning stimulus between 60% and 100% of active motor threshold
GABAa-R activation
Reduced prior to movement
ISI (interspike intervals) 2-3ms
Sychronise to reduce inhibition or syncopate to increase inhibition
What is the output of the motor system a result of?
Inhibition (strokes are poor at this)
Describe long interval intracortical inhibition:
Interstimulus intervals 50-200ms Suprathreshold stimulus (conditioning stimulus BUT produces response) GABAb-R activation
Describe short interval intracortical facilitation:
Specific inter-stimulus intervals
Suprathreshold stimuli
Synchronised I-waves: I-wave facilitation
Describe the contralateral silent period:
Single test stimulus
During voluntary muscle activity
Silent period duration depends on GABAb-R activity
(shown as MEP followed by silent period)
Describe interhemispheric inhibition:
Interstimulus intervals 8-50ms Suprathreshold stimuli GABAb-ergic Task-dependent modulation In stroke, the normal side connections are lost
Describe the ipsilateral silent period:
Single test stimulus
Ipsilateral to activated muscle
Duration depends on GABAb-ergic activity
Describe the general features of TMS:
Versatile research tool
Can measure cortical excitability
Measure GABAA and GABAB function with sub-millisecond precision
Can be used to measure effects of aging, maturation, neurological disorders, interventions in drugs, rehab, learning
Safe, non-invasive and painless
Describe the properties of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS):
1-2mA current, up to 20 minutes
Moves ions through ECF
Shifts resting membrane potential
Alters spontaneous firing rate