Automated-parameterization of the motor evoked potential and cortical silent period induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To standardize the characterization of motor evoked potential (MEP) and cortical silent period (CSP) recordings elicited with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).


METHODS
A computer-based, automated-parameterization program (APP) was developed and tested which provides a comprehensive set of electromyography (EMG) magnitude and temporal measures. The APP was tested using MEP, CSP, and isolated CSP (iCSP) TMS stimulus-response data from a healthy adult population (N=13).


RESULTS
The APP had the highest internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha=.98) for CSP offset time compared with two prominent automated methods. The immediate post-CSP EMG recovery level was 49% higher than the pre-TMS EMG level. MEP size (peak amplitude, mean amplitude, peak-to-peak amplitude, and area) correlated higher with effective E-field (E(eff)) than other intensity measures (r approximately 0.5 vs. r approximately 0.3) suggesting that E(eff) is better suited for standardizing MEP stimulus-response relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
The APP successfully characterized individual and mean epochs containing MEP, CSP, and iCSP responses. The APP provided common signal and temporal measures consistent with previous studies and novel additional parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
With the use of the APP modeling method and the E(eff), a standard approach for the analysis and reporting of MEP-CSP complex and iCSP measurements is achievable.
Rábago
Christopher A
CA
Research Imaging Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Lancaster
Jack L
JL
Narayana
Shalini
S
Zhang
Wei
W
Fox
Peter T
PT
D000328:Adult; D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods*; D001703:Biophysics; D013181:Cortical Spreading Depression / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult