You are here

Enhancement of Neuromodulation with Novel Pulse Shapes Generated by Controllable Pulse Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Enhancement of Neuromodulation with Novel Pulse Shapes Generated by Controllable Pulse Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Authors: 
Stefan M. Goetz, Bruce Luber, Sarah H. Lisanby, David L.K. Murphy, I. Cassie Kozyrkov, Warren M. Grill, Angel V. Peterchev
Year: 
2015
Journal: 
Brain Stimulation Journal
Abstract: 


Background
Standard repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) devices generate bidirectional biphasic sinusoidal pulses that are energy efficient, but may be less effective than monophasic pulses that induce a more unidirectional electric field. To enable pulse shape optimization, we developed a controllable pulse parameter TMS (cTMS) device.

Objective
We quantified changes in cortical excitability produced by conventional sinusoidal bidirectional pulses and by three rectangular-shaped cTMS pulses, one bidirectional and two unidirectional (in opposite directions), and compared their efficacy in modulating motor evoked potentials (MEPs) produced by stimulation of motor cortex.

Methods
Thirteen healthy subjects completed four sessions of 1 Hz rTMS of the left motor cortex. In each session, the rTMS electric field pulse had one of the four shapes. Excitability changes due to rTMS were measured by applying probe TMS pulses before and after rTMS, and comparing resultant MEP amplitudes. Separately, we measured the latency of the MEPs evoked by each of the four pulses.

Results
While the three cTMS pulses generated significant mean inhibitory effects in the subject group, the conventional biphasic cosine pulses did not. The strongest inhibition resulted from a rectangular unidirectional pulse with dominant induced current in the posterior–anterior direction. The MEP latency depended significantly on the pulse shape.

Conclusions
The pulse shape is an important factor in rTMS-induced neuromodulation. The standard cosine biphasic pulse showed the smallest effect on cortical excitability, while the greatest inhibition was observed for an asymmetric, unidirectional, rectangular pulse. Differences in MEP latency across the various rTMS pulse shapes suggest activation of distinct subsets of cortical microcircuitry.

For more information, please click here >>

© Copyright 1999 - 2024 ANT Neuro | www.ant-neuro.com | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Contact | USA Customers