In order to validate the effects of the MicroTesla low-power repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulator (rTMS), we undertook a short study to look for changes in sLORETA brain activation. We looked for specific effects of the frequency of stimulation, and the location of stimulation, in specific brain locations. This report has been submitted for publication. A summary of the results is shown below. The stimulation fates were 3 and 14 Hz, and the power was an average of 50 milliGauss using pulsed stimulation. Brain activity changes were assessed using real-time sLORETA data acquired using the BrainAvatar software to estimate current source density in Brodmann Areas 4, 24, and 10. Changes were observed to be specific to stimulation site, stimulation frequency, and Brodmann Area. For example, It was found that 14 Hz stimulation at Cz increased alpha in Brodmann Areas 4 and 24, but not in Brodmann Area 10. It was found that 3 Hz stimulation at Cz consistently decreased alpha in Brodmann Areas 4 and 24 and once, but not repeatedly, in Brodmann Area 10. Stimulation at F8 at 3 Hz consistently increased alpha in Brodmann Areas 4 and 24. Stimulation at F7 at 14 Hz decreased alpha in Brodmann Area 4. Stimulation at Fz did not produce observable changes.
This shows that it is possible to show specific changes in brain activation using the low-intensity rTMS technology, using real-time sLORETA current-source density imaging. This was a team effort at BrainMaster, and we particularly acknowledge the work of Christen Stahl.
