The goal of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the total electric field (E-field) induced in neural tissues by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and its efficacy in producing explicit neuronal activations. Currently, the mechanisms of action underlying TMS induced brain stimulations are not well understood, thus experimentation rather than a solid theoretical model determines many of the treatment parameters-such as stimulator intensity, rate and treatment duration. By modeling the total E-fields induced by TMS, we can shed light on the specific mechanisms involved in TMS induced brain stimulations. The objective of the experiments proposed here is to test (and possibly refine) mathematically formulated hypotheses governing the relationship between the E-fields induced by TMS and any local cortical responses resulting from exposure to these induced E-fields. Once this is done both the delivery and quantitative assessment of each TMS pulse can be improved-expanding TMS'use as a non-invasive biomedical device.
In Specific Aim 1, the applicant will use magnetic resonance imaging techniques to obtain subject-specific head images-characterizing the geometric size, shape and electrical conductivity of each subject's head.
In Specific Aim 2, the applicant will examine the effects of modulating TMS intensity, orientation and pulse waveform on measured electromyographic (i.e. EMG) responses. EMG response magnitude should vary as a function of the induced E-field vector relative to the direction of the cortical column (resulting in an effective E- field).
Specific Aim 3 focuses on calculating accurate, four-dimensional (i.e. space and time) models of the total and effective E-fields induced by TMS in a realistic head model. The subject-specific head models created in Aim 1 will be used in numerical calculations--i.e. the finite element method--then compared to the EMG responses (Aim 2) to elaborate on the efficacy of each TMS treatment parameter. Accurate models of TMS induced neuronal activations will increase the effectiveness of any TMS experiment-ultimately leading to better clinical/research use.

Public Health Relevance

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is primarily used as a noninvasive therapeutic treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety;TMS is also effective in assessing drug- related effects on the central nervous system. TMS is also being used as a diagnostic tool, allowing quantitative assessments of the motor deficits involved in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and the effects of stroke. By the modeling the electric fields produced by TMS we can better understand the mechanisms of neuronal activation, including how a particular disease/disorder may be affecting the nervous system.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32NS066694-02
Application #
8145632
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F01-L (20))
Program Officer
Babcock, Debra J
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2012-04-30
Budget Start
2011-05-01
Budget End
2012-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$52,953
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800772162
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78229
Salinas, Felipe S; Franklin, Crystal; Narayana, Shalini et al. (2016) Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Educes Frequency-Specific Causal Relationships in the Motor Network. Brain Stimul 9:406-414
Ákos Szabó, C; Salinas, Felipe S; Li, Karl et al. (2016) Modeling the effective connectivity of the visual network in healthy and photosensitive, epileptic baboons. Brain Struct Funct 221:2023-33
Salinas, Felipe S; Narayana, Shalini; Zhang, Wei et al. (2013) Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation elicits rate-dependent brain network responses in non-human primates. Brain Stimul 6:777-87
Krieg, Todd D; Salinas, Felipe S; Narayana, Shalini et al. (2013) PET-based confirmation of orientation sensitivity of TMS-induced cortical activation in humans. Brain Stimul 6:898-904
Szabo, C Akos; Salinas, Felipe S; Leland, M Michelle et al. (2012) Baboon model of generalized epilepsy: continuous intracranial video-EEG monitoring with subdural electrodes. Epilepsy Res 101:46-55
Szabó, C Ákos; Salinas, Felipe S; Narayana, Shalini (2011) Functional PET Evaluation of the Photosensitive Baboon. Open Neuroimag J 5:206-15
Salinas, Felipe S; Szabó, C Ákos; Zhang, Wei et al. (2011) Functional neuroimaging of the baboon during concurrent image-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation. Neuroimage 57:1393-401