Two novel short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) protocols, assessing SICI across a range of interstimulus intervals (ISIs) using either parallel threshold-tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TT-TMS) or automated conventional TMS (cTMS), were recently introduced. However, the test-retest reliability of these protocols has not been investigated, which is important if they are to be introduced in the clinic. SICI was recorded in 18 healthy subjects using TT-TMS (T-SICI) and cTMS (A-SICI). All subjects were examined at four identical sessions, i.e., morning and afternoon sessions on 2 d, 5-7 d apart. Both SICI protocols were performed twice at each session by the same observer. In one of the sessions, another observer performed additional examinations. Neither intraobserver nor interobserver measures of SICI differed significantly between examinations, except for T-SICI at ISI 3 ms ( = 0.00035) and A-SICI at ISI 2.5 ms ( = 0.0103). Intraday reliability was poor-to-good for A-SICI and moderate-to-good for T-SICI. Interday and interobserver reliabilities of T-SICI and A-SICI were moderate-to-good. Although between-subject variation constituted most of the total variation, SICI repeatability in an individual subject was poor. The two SICI protocols showed no considerable systematic bias across sessions and had a comparable test-retest reliability profile. Findings from the present study suggest that both SICI protocols may be reliably and reproducibly employed in research studies, but should be used with caution for individual decision-making in clinical settings. Studies exploring reliability in patient cohorts are warranted to investigate the clinical utility of these two SICI protocols.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8528507PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0103-21.2021DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

sici protocols
20
test-retest reliability
12
sici
9
short-interval intracortical
8
intracortical inhibition
8
automated conventional
8
a-sici moderate-to-good
8
protocols
6
reliability short-interval
4
inhibition assessed
4

Similar Publications

Neurophysiological assessment of cortical motor function: A direct comparison of methodologies.

Clin Neurophysiol

December 2024

Neuroscience Research Australia, 139 Barker Street, Randwick, 2031, Sydney, Australia; University of NSW and Department of Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital, South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Objective: Assessment of cortical function with threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TT-TMS) has developed as a biomarker to inform disease pathophysiology, particularly in neurodegenerative disease and dementia. At present, a fully integrated testing system does not exist. To advance clinical utility, and to streamline software design to integrate with diagnostic approaches in an outpatient setting, the present series of studies assessed the effects of altering diagnostic paradigms to measure interstimulus interval (ISI) including serial ascending [T-SICIs] and parallel [T-SICIp] methodologies as measures of cortical motor function (the MagXite software).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is commonly treated primarily with pharmacological therapy, while advanced reperfusion therapies (transcatheter or surgical) are considered only in cases of contraindications or failure of standard therapies. Treatment algorithms vary depending on the patient's risk, with patients at intermediate or high risk potentially requiring evaluation for such advanced reperfusion therapies. Critical scenarios, such as contraindications to systemic thrombolysis or failure of pharmacological protocols, necessitate the activation of a multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) and prompt therapeutic escalation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) protocols targeting primary motor cortex (M1) are used in rehabilitation of neurological diseases for their therapeutic potential, safety, and tolerability. Although lower intensity LF-rTMS can modulate M1 neurophysiology, results are variable, and a systematic assessment of its dose effect is lacking.

Objectives: To determine the dose-response of LF-rTMS on stimulated and non-stimulated M1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to determine if scalp cooling can enhance the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor cortex excitability.
  • It involved 105 healthy participants in a randomized, double-blind design where various tDCS protocols and scalp cooling were tested, with motor evoked potentials measured to assess changes in brain excitability.
  • Results indicated that neither tDCS nor scalp cooling produced measurable improvements in motor cortex excitability, suggesting that these methods do not alter cortical excitability effectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Disruptive compensatory mechanisms in fibromyalgia syndrome and their association with pharmacological agents.

Exp Brain Res

December 2024

Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Article Synopsis
  • Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex, chronic condition often marked by widespread pain and fatigue, primarily affecting women, leading to challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
  • This study investigated the link between transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) metrics—like cortical excitability and inhibition—and various clinical characteristics in 108 FMS patients, revealing associations between TMS markers, pain severity, fatigue, and medication use.
  • Findings suggest that disrupted brain inhibitory functions are linked to FMS symptoms, with factors like gabapentinoids and nicotine potentially impacting the brain's pain modulation mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!