B Langguth1, P Eichhammer, M Zowe, M Landgrebe, H Binder, P Sand, G Hajak. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse, 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany. Berthold.Langguth@medbo.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunctions of the cortico-cerebello-thalamocortical circuit are involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. This study explores the effects of cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cerebello-thalamocortical pathways. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers received MRI-guided rTMS in four separate sessions (120% motor threshold, 1000 stimuli) over either the medial or the right lateral cerebellum using frequencies of 1 and 10 Hz. Motor cortex excitability was assessed before and after the intervention by paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. RESULTS: Depending on stimulation frequency, cerebellar rTMS differentially modified intracortical inhibition. Low frequency rTMS increased short intracortical inhibition (SICI), whereas high frequency rTMS had no significant effect on SICI. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that rTMS over the cerebellum can modulate cerebello-thalamocortical pathways in a frequency-specific manner.
OBJECTIVES: Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunctions of the cortico-cerebello-thalamocortical circuit are involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. This study explores the effects of cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cerebello-thalamocortical pathways. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers received MRI-guided rTMS in four separate sessions (120% motor threshold, 1000 stimuli) over either the medial or the right lateral cerebellum using frequencies of 1 and 10 Hz. Motor cortex excitability was assessed before and after the intervention by paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. RESULTS: Depending on stimulation frequency, cerebellar rTMS differentially modified intracortical inhibition. Low frequency rTMS increased short intracortical inhibition (SICI), whereas high frequency rTMS had no significant effect on SICI. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that rTMS over the cerebellum can modulate cerebello-thalamocortical pathways in a frequency-specific manner.
Authors: G Grimaldi; G P Argyropoulos; A Boehringer; P Celnik; M J Edwards; R Ferrucci; J M Galea; S J Groiss; K Hiraoka; P Kassavetis; E Lesage; M Manto; R C Miall; A Priori; A Sadnicka; Y Ugawa; U Ziemann Journal: Cerebellum Date: 2014-02 Impact factor: 3.847