Reduction of human visual cortex excitability using 1-Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation.
The effects of low-frequency (1-Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on visual cortex excitability were investigated by measuring phosphene thresholds (PTs) and stimulus-response curves. Stimulation over the visual cortex led to significantly decreased visual cortex excitability, expressed as an increase in PT. The motor threshold of the hand muscles did not change, indicating the topographic specificity of this effect. This intervention may be useful in situations associated with a hyperexcitable visual cortex.
Boroojerdi
B
B
Human Cortical Physiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. 20892-1428, USA.
Prager
A
A
Muellbacher
W
W
Cohen
L G
LG
D000328:Adult; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010719:Phosphenes / Q000528:radiation effects; D012016:Reference Values; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000528:radiation effects; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*