Slow frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation affects reaction times, but not priming effects, in a masked prime task

Schlaghecken, F. and Munchau, A. and Bloem, B.R. and Rothwell, J. and Eimer, Martin (2003) Slow frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation affects reaction times, but not priming effects, in a masked prime task. Clinical Neurophysiology 114 (7), pp. 1272-1277. ISSN 1388-2457.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1388-2457(03)00118-4

Abstract

Objective: Slow frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduces motor cortex excitability, but it is unclear whether this has behavioural consequences in healthy subjects. Methods: We examined the effects of 1 Hz rTMS (train of 20 min; stimulus intensity 80% of active motor threshold) over left motor or left premotor cortex on performance in a visually cued choice reaction time task, using a ‘masked prime’ paradigm to assess whether rTMS might affect more automatic motor processes. Twelve healthy volunteers participated. Results: Motor cortex rTMS and, to a lesser extent, premotor cortex rTMS resulted in a slowing of right (stimulated) hand responses, but not of left (unstimulated) hand responses. In a control experiment, rTMS of the left somatosensory cortex did not lead to slower right hand responses. Discussion: We conclude that long trains of low intensity 1 Hz rTMS over the motor or premotor cortex can have subtle behavioural consequences outlasting the stimulation. rTMS did not affect the modulation of reaction times by subliminal primes, suggesting that priming effects triggered by subliminal primes are not generated at the level of motor or pre-motor cortex.

Metadata

Item Type:	Article
School:	Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences
Depositing User:	Sarah Hall
Date Deposited:	09 Dec 2019 15:36
Last Modified:	02 Aug 2023 17:56
URI:	https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/30219

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