Single pulse TMS-induced modulations of resting brain neurodynamics encoded in EEG phase.

Integration of electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) provides a useful framework for quantifying stimulation-induced modulations of neural dynamics. Amplitude and frequency modulations by different TMS protocols have been previously investigated, but the study of stimulation-induced effects on EEG phase has been more limited. We examined changes in resting brain dynamics following single TMS pulses, focusing on measures in the phase domain, to assess their sensitivity to stimulation effects.

Artists' advance: decreased upper alpha power while drawing in artists compared with non-artists.

Brain mechanisms associated with artistic talents or skills are still not well understood. This exploratory study investigated differences in brain activity of artists and non-artists while drawing previously presented perspective line-drawings from memory and completing other drawing-related tasks. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were analyzed for power in the frequency domain by means of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).

Estimation of brain state changes associated with behavior, stimulation and epilepsy.

Brain state dynamics vary at different spatiotemporal scales with behavior, stimulation, and disease, and may be unobserved (latent). Using a state-space model framework and subspace identification, we estimated spatiotemporally localized, latent state changes associated with the application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to assess the effect of stimulation on brain state dynamics. State appeared to be modulated by behavior in a spatially-specific manner and small-amplitude state fluctuations were temporally locked to stimulus presentations.

Large-scale mapping of mutations affecting zebrafish development.

Background: Large-scale mutagenesis screens in the zebrafish employing the mutagen ENU have isolated several hundred mutant loci that represent putative developmental control genes. In order to realize the potential of such screens, systematic genetic mapping of the mutations is necessary. Here we report on a large-scale effort to map the mutations generated in mutagenesis screening at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology by genome scanning with microsatellite markers.

Neuronal modifications during visuomotor association learning assessed by electric brain tomography.

In everyday life specific situations need specific reactions. Through repetitive practice, such stimulus-response associations can be learned and performed automatically. The aim of the present EEG study was the illustration of learning dependent modifications in neuronal pathways during short-term practice of visuomotor associations.

The role of the right dorsal premotor cortex in visuomotor learning: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

To study the role of the right dorsal premotor cortex in visuomotor association learning (association of four visual stimuli to four buttons), transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to this area to interfere with the ongoing learning processes. Two transcranial magnetic stimulation pulses to the right dorsal premotor cortex at 150 and 200 ms after onset of the imperative stimulus resulted in the abolishing of reaction time decreases during learning. Transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to a control region revealed no influence on reaction time decreases.