Effects of theta burst stimulation on motor cortex excitability in Parkinson’s disease

• Published in: Clinical neurophysiology 2012-04, Vol.123 (4), p.815-821
• Main Authors: Zamir, Orit, Gunraj, Carolyn, Ni, Zhen, Mazzella, Filomena, Chen, Robert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Analysis of Variance; Antiparkinson Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cortical inhibition; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Efferent Pathways - drug effects; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Electromyography; Evoked Potentials, Motor - drug effects; Evoked Potentials, Motor - physiology; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory - physiology; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Long-Term Potentiation - drug effects; Long-Term Potentiation - physiology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Motor cortex; Motor Cortex - physiopathology; Nervous system; Neurology; Neuronal Plasticity - drug effects; Parkinson Disease - drug therapy; Parkinson Disease - physiopathology; Parkinson’s disease; Theta burst stimulation; Theta Rhythm - physiology; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
• ISSN: 1388-2457; 1872-8952
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2011.07.051

Highlights ► Intermittent theta burst stimulation in human increases motor cortical excitability likely via frequency dependent, homosynaptic long-term potentiation-like effects. ► Intermittent theta burst stimulation produces similar increase in motor evoked potential and changes in intracortical circuits in Parkinson’s disease patients whether in the ON or OFF medication states compared to healthy controls. ► Frequency dependent homosynpatic long-term potentiation-like plasticity is relatively preserved in Parkinson’s disease.