Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation of the supplementary motor cortex disrupts fine motor skills in healthy adults.

ABSTRACT: Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) over the supplementary motor area (SMA) may impact fine motor skills. This study evaluates different nTMS parameters in their capacity to affect fine motor performance on the way to develop an SMA mapping protocol. Twenty healthy volunteers performed a variety of fine motor tests during baseline and nTMS to the SMA using 5 Hz, 10 Hz, and theta-burst stimulation (TBS). Effects on performance were measured by test completion times (TCTs), standard deviation of inter-tap interval (SDIT), and visible coordination problems (VCPs). The predominant stimulation effect was slowing of TCTs, i.e. a slowdown of test performances during stimulation. Furthermore, participants exhibited VCPs like accidental use of contralateral limbs or inability to coor

SUBMITTER: Schramm S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6883055 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature