title: Spike-timing-dependent plasticity in the human dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex.
abstract: Changes in the synaptic strength of neural connections are induced by repeated coupling of activity of interconnected neurons with precise timing, a phenomenon known as spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). It is debated if this mechanism exists in large-scale cortical networks in humans. We combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) to directly investigate the effects of two paired associative stimulation (PAS) protocols (fronto-parietal and parieto-frontal) of pre and post-synaptic inputs within the human fronto-parietal network. We found evidence that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has the potential to form robust STDP. Long-term potentiation/depression of TMS-evoked cortical activity is prompted after that DLPFC stimulation is followed/preceded by posterior parietal stimulation. Such bidirectional changes are paralleled by sustained increase/decrease of high-frequency oscillatory activity, likely reflecting STDP responsivity. The current findings could be important to drive plasticity of damaged cortical circuits in patients with cognitive or psychiatric disorders.
authors: Non Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome 00179, Italy.
authors: Elias Paolo
authors: EP
authors: Casula
authors: Non Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome 00179, Italy.
authors: Maria Concetta
authors: MC
authors: Pellicciari
authors: Non Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome 00179, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Picazio
authors: Non Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome 00179, Italy; Department of System Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome 00133, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Caltagirone
authors: Non Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome 00179, Italy; Stroke Unit, Tor Vergata Policlinic, Rome 00133, Italy. Electronic address: g.koch@hsantalucia.it.
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Koch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001611:Beta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D065818:Gamma Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: DLPFC; EEG; Plasticity; STDP; TMS