Facilitation of performance in a working memory task with rTMS stimulation of the precuneus: Frequency- and time-dependent effects

Abstract Although improvements in performance due to TMS have been demonstrated with some cognitive tasks, performance improvement has not previously been demonstrated with working memory tasks. In the present study, a delayed match-to-sample task was used in which repetitive TMS (rTMS) at 1, 5, or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research 2007-01, Vol.1128 (1), p.120-129
Main Authors: Luber, B, Kinnunen, L.H, Rakitin, B.C, Ellsasser, R, Stern, Y, Lisanby, S.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Cerebral Cortex - physiology
Cerebral Cortex - radiation effects
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Facilitation
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Male
Memory, Short-Term - radiation effects
Miscellaneous
Neurology
Neuropsychological Tests
Parietal cortex
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Reaction time
Reaction Time - radiation effects
Retention (Psychology) - radiation effects
Time Factors
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Working memory
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Summary:Abstract Although improvements in performance due to TMS have been demonstrated with some cognitive tasks, performance improvement has not previously been demonstrated with working memory tasks. In the present study, a delayed match-to-sample task was used in which repetitive TMS (rTMS) at 1, 5, or 20 Hz was applied to either left dorsolateral prefrontal or midline parietal cortex during the retention (delay) phase of the task. Only 5 Hz stimulation to the parietal site resulted in a significant decrease in reaction time (RT) without a corresponding decrease in accuracy. This finding was replicated in a second experiment, in which 5 Hz rTMS at the parietal site was applied during the retention phase or during presentation of the recognition probe. Significant speeding of RT occurred in the retention phase but not the probe phase. This finding suggests that TMS may improve working memory performance, in a manner that is specific to the timing of stimulation relative to performance of the task, and to stimulation frequency.
ISSN:0006-8993
1872-6240
DOI:10.1016/j.brainres.2006.10.011