Role of Single Low Pulse Intensity of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over the Frontal Cortex for Cognitive Function

Shahid Bashir; Fawaz Al-Hussain; Ali Hamza; Ghadah Faisal Shareefi; Turki Abualait; Woo-Kyoung Yoo

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2020.00205

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (Jul 2020)

Role of Single Low Pulse Intensity of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over the Frontal Cortex for Cognitive Function

Shahid Bashir,
Fawaz Al-Hussain,
Ali Hamza,
Ghadah Faisal Shareefi,
Turki Abualait,
Woo-Kyoung Yoo

Affiliations

Shahid Bashir: Department of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Fawaz Al-Hussain: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ali Hamza: Department of Electrical Engineering, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Ghadah Faisal Shareefi: Department of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Turki Abualait: College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Woo-Kyoung Yoo: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Division of Neuroscience Center, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, South Korea

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2020.00205
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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Background: The principal aim of this study was to measure the effect of online single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on cognition via the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) in healthy individuals.Methods: In a single-blind, sham-controlled study, we assessed both 50% and 60% of the resting motor threshold (RMT) over the right DLPFC in healthy right-handed (n = 42) adults using cognitive function, such as attention and memory, as a measure via CANTAB.Results: We observed an improvement in the cognitive function level during the use of online low intensities of 50% and 60% RMT active stimulation of the DLPFC compared to the sham stimulation.Conclusions: The results showed that low-intensity TMS can indeed effectively modulate cognitive function in DLPFC. Future research is, however, necessary to investigate the potential effects of low-intensity TMS on different brain areas to increase confidence in the observed results.

Published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

ISSN: 1662-5161 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/human_neuroscience

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