Brain Stimul
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The transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) paradigm short-latency sensory afferent inhibition (SAI) investigates sensori-motor integration. Conventionally, one stimulation intensity is used for the conditioning pulse to the peripheral nerve. ⋯ Effects on MEP size in SAI depend on stimulus intensity and are not limited to anatomically homotopic muscles. Inhibitory rTMS modulates motor output but not the interaction of sensory inputs with the motor cortex.
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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is able to modify cortical excitability and activity in humans. ⋯ Cathodal tDCS of the primary sensory cortex significantly reduced the sensitivity to Aδ-fiber-mediated cold sensation, C-fiber-mediated warm sensation was reduced only compared with baseline, whereas Aß-fiber-mediated somatosensory inputs were less affected. Our results correspond with our previous observations of primary motor cortex tDCS effects on QST parameters.
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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of motor and prefrontal cortex has been shown to modulate pain perception. Even though evidence suggests an involvement of cerebellar structures in pain processing, the effect of rTMS over the cerebellum on pain perception has not yet been investigated. ⋯ Our findings suggest that changes in sensory perception after rTMS over the cerebellum are largely due to stimulation effects on peripheral structures and support recent reports of analgesic effects of neck rMS. They advocate the critical review of the proposed analgesic effects of rTMS and encourage the future use of proper control conditions in rTMS research.