One-Hertz transcranial magnetic stimulation over the frontal eye field induces lasting inhibition of saccade triggering.
The aim of the study was to examine the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on saccade triggering. In five participants, a train of 600 pulses with a frequency of 1 Hz was applied over the right frontal eye field and--as control condition--over the vertex. After repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation application, oculomotor performance was evaluated with an overlap paradigm. The results show that the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation effect was specific for frontal eye field stimulation. Saccade latencies were found to be increased bilaterally for several minutes after the stimulation, and the time course of recovery was different for the ipsilateral and contralateral sides. The results are discussed in the light of possible local and remote repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation effects on the oculomotor network.
Nyffeler
Thomas
T
Perception and Eye Movement Laboratory, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
Wurtz
Pascal
P
Pflugshaupt
Tobias
T
von Wartburg
Roman
R
Luthi
Mathias
M
Hess
Christian W
CW
Muri
René M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005123:Eye; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*