The role of low-frequency rTMS in the superior parietal cortex during time estimation.

The low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) application has been associated with changes in cognitive processes embedded during time perception tasks. Although several studies have investigated the influence of neuromodulation on time perception, the effect of the 1-Hz rTMS application on the superior parietal cortex is not clearly understood. This study analyzes the effect of the low-frequency rTMS on time estimation when applied in the parietal medial longitudinal fissure.

Integrative parietal cortex processes: neurological and psychiatric aspects.

For many decades the parietal cortex (PC) has been considered the key area in tasks which involve the integration of different stimuli. PC is fundamental to determine spatial sense, information navigation and integration, and is involved in several aspects of the complex motor repertoire and in neurological and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we focus on seven different aspects of PC: (i) neuroanatomy of the parietal cortex; (ii) sensory motor integration processes; iii) hand movement control: reaching, grasping, and pointing; (iv) saccadic eye movements; (v) movement observation; (vi) neurological aspects: ataxia, autism and Parkinson's disease; and (vii) psychiatric aspects: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.

Does immobilization of dependent hand promote adaptative changes in cerebral cortex? An analysis through qEEG asymmetry.

This study aimed to elucidate electrophysiological and cortical mechanisms involved when 15 healthy right-handed subjects executed an index finger flexion and extension task before and after hand immobilization, using qEEG beta band (13-30Hz) asymmetry. This beta band is involved in motor activity and sensorial factors. Our hypothesis is that an increase in beta band asymmetry in pre-frontal, motor and parietal areas will occur in post-hand immobilization, because these areas need to reorganize for new planning, preparation and voluntary motor control.