Theta burst magnetic stimulation over the right pre-supplementary motor area improves motor inhibition

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2017
Source:Brain Stimulation
Author(s): Ignacio Obeso, Leonora Wilkinson, James T. Teo, Penelope Talelli, John C. Rothwell, Marjan Jahanshahi
BackgroundStopping an ongoing motor response or resolving conflict induced by conflicting stimuli are associated with activation of a right-lateralized network of inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, the roles of the right IFG and pre-SMA in stopping a movement and in conflict resolution remain unclear. We used continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to examine the involvement of the right IFG and pre-SMA in inhibition and conflict resolution using the conditional stop signal task.MethodsWe measured stop signal reaction time (SSRT, measure of reactive inhibition), response delay effect (RDE, measure of proactive action restraint) and conflict induced slowing (CIS, measure of conflict resolution).ResultsStimulation over the right pre-SMA resulted in significantly shorter SSRTs (improved inhibition) compared to sham cTBS. This effect was not observed for CIS, RDE, or any other measures. cTBS over the right IFG had no effect on SSRT, CIS, RDE or on any other measure.ConclusionsThe improvement of SSRT with cTBS over the right pre-SMA suggests its critical contribution to stopping ongoing movements.



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