Following brain injury (e.g. stroke), application of non-invasive brain stimulation may improve rehabilitative efforts. However, the most effective method of non-invasive brain stimulation is unknown. Paired associative stimulation (PAS) is a method of non-invasive brain stimulation that pairs an electrical peripheral nerve stimulus with a magnetic stimulus to the head. This method can be applied in a manner that increases (facilitates) or decreases (depresses) excitability within the brain. Furthermore, applying two consecutive PAS sessions within minutes of each other (called primed PAS) may augment changes in excitability more than a single PAS session alone. Thus, the purpose of this study is to compare the effect of a double PAS session (primed PAS) to the effect of a single PAS session (unprimed PAS) and a sham PAS session in healthy individuals.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
32
Change from baseline peak-to-peak amplitude of motor evoked potential
Single-pulse TMS will be used to evoke a motor response that is recorded using electromyography (EMG). The peak-to-peak amplitude of the EMG response will be measured.
Time frame: Immediately before and within 60 minutes following intervention
Change from baseline resting motor threshold
Single-pulse TMS will be used to evoke a motor response that is recorded using electromyography (EMG). The lowest stimulator output needed to elicit a consistent response will be recorded.
Time frame: Immediately before and within 60 minutes following intervention
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