The Effects of Midline Cerebellar rTMS on Human Pharyngeal Cortical Activity in the Intact Swallowing Motor System

• DOI: 10.1007/s12311-020-01191-x
• Publication Date: 2020-09-26T04:02:36Z
• Authors: Ayodele Sasegbon; Nikola Niziolek; Mengqing Zhang; Craig J Smith; Philip M Bath; John Rothwell; Shaheen Hamdy
• Keywords: Cerebellar vermis; Supplementary motor area; Cerebellar hemisphere

Abstract We sought to compare the effects of 10 Hz cerebellar vermis (vs. unilateral hemispheric and sham) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cortical neuroelectrical activity thereafter rTMS swallowing behaviour. Healthy participants ( n = 25) were randomly allocated receive vermis, hemisphere or sham rTMS. Recordings made using pharyngeal electromyography manometry catheters, obtaining motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) pressure recordings. The amplitudes MEPs elicited single-pulse TMS delivered areas motor cortex bilaterally measured pre- post-cerebellar stimulation. As in previous studies, abductor policis brevis (APB) assess post-rTMS modulation specificity. Swallowing was assessed a accuracy task. Measurements at baseline 15-min intervals for an hour post-intervention. involved being used elicit over cortex, APB representation adjacent area with lowest resting threshold 5 hemispheres. by giving attempts swallow hit digital target. Cerebellar caused significant suppression MEP compared P 0.0005, 0.002). unaffected as latencies. Following there reduction 0.001). Our findings demonstrate exerts suppressive effect