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Theta Burst Stimulation of the Precuneus Modulates Resting State Connectivity in the Left Temporal Pole

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Abstract

It has been shown that continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over the precuneus acts on specific memory retrieval abilities. In order to study the neural mechanisms beyond these findings, we combined cTBS and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our experimental protocol involved stimulation and sham conditions on a group of healthy subjects, and each condition included a baseline and two follow-up acquisitions (5 and 15 min after baseline) after cTBS. We analysed brain functional connectivity by means of graph theoretical measures, with a specific focus on the network modular structure. Our results showed that cTBS of the precuneus selectively affects the left temporal pole, decreasing its functional connectivity in the first follow-up. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in the size of the module of the precuneus in the second follow-up. Such effects were absent in the sham condition. We observed here a modulation of functional connectivity as a result of inhibitory stimulation over the precuneus. Such a modulation first acts indirectly on the temporal area and then extends the connectivity of the precuneus itself by a feed-back mechanism. Our current findings extend our previous behavioural observations and increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the stimulation of the precuneus.

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Abbreviations

TMS:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

fMRI:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

cTBS:

Continuous theta burst stimulation

PC:

Precuneus

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a grant from the Italian Ministry of Health (RF10.047) awarded to Marco Bozzali.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering, University of Rome, “Roma Tre”, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00154, Rome, Italy

    Matteo Mancini & Silvia Conforto

  2. Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy

    Matteo Mancini, Chiara Mastropasqua, Mara Cercignani & Marco Bozzali

  3. Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy

    Sonia Bonnì, Viviana Ponzo & Giacomo Koch

  4. Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RR, East Sussex, UK

    Mara Cercignani

  5. Stroke Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Giacomo Koch

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  1. Matteo Mancini
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  2. Chiara Mastropasqua
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  3. Sonia Bonnì
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  4. Viviana Ponzo
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Correspondence to Matteo Mancini.

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Mancini, M., Mastropasqua, C., Bonnì, S. et al. Theta Burst Stimulation of the Precuneus Modulates Resting State Connectivity in the Left Temporal Pole. Brain Topogr 30, 312–319 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-017-0559-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-017-0559-x

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