Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation directed to a seizure focus localized by high-density EEG: A case report

Abstract

We demonstrate feasibility of using high-density EEG to map a neocortical seizure focus in conjunction with delivery of magnetic therapy. Our patient had refractory seizures affecting the left leg. A five-day course of placebo stimulation followed a month later by active rTMS was directed to the mapped seizure dipole. Active rTMS resulted in reduced EEG spiking, and shortening of seizure duration compared to placebo. Seizure frequency, however, improved similarly in both placebo and active treatment stages. rTMS-evoked EEG potentials demonstrated that a negative peak at 40 ms - believed to represent GABAergic inhibition - was enhanced by stimulation. Keywords: Seizure, Epilepsy, Repetitive transcranial evoked potentials, Neurostimulation, EEG evoked potentials