Stochastic resonance effects reveal the neural mechanisms of transcranial magnetic stimulation

摘要: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a popular method for studying causal relationships between neural activity and behavior. However, its mode of action remains controversial, so far there no framework to explain wide range facilitatory inhibitory behavioral effects. While some theoretical accounts suggest that TMS suppresses neuronal processing, other competing propose the effects result from addition noise processing. Here we exploited stochastic resonance phenomenon distinguish these determine how affects Specifically, showed online can induce in human brain. At low intensity, facilitated detection weak motion signals, but with higher intensities stronger found only impairment detection. These findings acts by adding at least an protocol. Importantly, such may also why parameters under normal circumstances impair behavior facilitations when stimulated area adapted or suppressed state.