Selecting stimulation intensity in repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation studies: A systematic review between 1991 and 2020

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an increasingly used, non-invasive brain stimulation technique in neuroscience research and clinical practice with a broad spectrum of suggested applications. Among other parameters, the choice of stimulus intensity and intracranial electric field strength substantially impacts rTMS outcome. This review provides a systematic overview of the intensity selection approaches and stimulation intensities used in human rTMS studies. We also examined whether studies report sufficient information to reproduce stimulus intensities for basic science research models. We performed a systematic review by focusing on original studies published between 1991 and 2020. We included conventional (e.g., 1 or 10 Hz) and patterned protocols (e.g., continuous or intermittent theta burst stimulation). We identified 3,784 articles in total, and we manually processed a representative portion (20%) of randomly selected articles. The majority of the analyzed studies (90% of entries) used the motor threshold (MT) approach and stimulation intensities from 80% to 120% of the MT. For continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation, the most frequent stimulation intensity was 80% of the active MT. Most studies (92% of entries) did not report sufficient information to reproduce the stimulation intensity. Only a minority of studies (1.03% of entries) estimated the rTMS-induced electric field strengths. We formulate easy-to-follow recommendations to help scientists and clinicians report relevant information on stimulation intensity. Future standardized reporting guidelines may facilitate the use of basic science approaches aiming at better understanding the molecular, cellular, and neuronal mechanisms of rTMS

A lexikális kétértelműség feldolgozását befolyásoló faktorok

Jelen vizsgálatban a szógyakoriság, a mondatkontextus és a munkamemória a mondatszintű lexikális kétértelműség feldolgozásában betöltött szerepét kívántuk megvizsgálni intermodális priming helyzetben magas és alacsony munkamemóriával rendelkező személyek esetében. Négyfajta mondatkontextust alkalmaztunk, amely vagy a gyakoribb, vagy a ritkább jelentést feszítette elő erősen befolyásoló, vagy enyhe intenzitással. A mondatokat hallgatták a kísérleti személyek, majd a mondatvégi kétértelmű szót 250 ms-os késleltetési idő beiktatása után a vizuálisan prezentált célinger köve tte. A szó-nemszó döntési helyzetben a kísérleti alanyok feladata az volt, hogy a mondatvégi kétértelmű szó gyakoribb vagy ritkább jelentéséhez kapcsolódó vagy nem kapcsolódó (kontroll) célingerekre válaszoljanak. Az eredmények azt mutatják, hogy míg a nagy munkamemóriájú személyek számára mindkét, addig a kis munkamemóriájú személyek számára leggyakrabban a gyakoribb jelentés volt elérhető. In the current study a cross-modal priming paradigm was adopted in order to investigate the relative role of word frequency, sentence context and working memory (WM) in the lexical ambiguity resolution at sentence level in individuals with high and low WM capacity. Four sentence contexts have been used biased toward the dominant or subordinate meaning of the ambiguous word either in a strongly influenced or a neutral context. Sentences were presented auditorily and the sentence-final ambiguous word was followed by the word-target presented visually after a 250 ms interstimulus interval. Subjects were requested to make lexical decision on the target which was related to the dominant or subordinated meaning of the ambiguous word or was an unrelated word. Both meanings of the ambiguous word appeared to be accessible for subjects with high WM capacity. Subjects with low WM capacity, however, seemed to activate the dominant meaning predominantly

Theta-gamma cross-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation over the trough impairs cognitive control

Cognitive control is a mental process, which underlies adaptive goal-directed decisions. Previous studies have linked cognitive control to electrophysiological fluctuations in the theta band and theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling (CFC) arising from the cingulate and frontal cortices. Yet, to date the behavioral consequences of different forms of theta-gamma CFC remain elusive. Here, we studied the behavioral effects of the theta-gamma CFC via transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) designed to stimulate the frontal and cingulate cortices in humans. Using a double-blind, randomized, repeated measures study design, 24 healthy participants were subjected to three active and one control CFC-tACS conditions. In the active conditions, 80 Hz gamma tACS was coupled to 4 Hz theta tACS. Specifically, in two of the active conditions, short gamma bursts were coupled to the delivered theta cycle to coincide with either its peaks or troughs. In the third active condition, the phase of a theta cycle modulated the amplitude of the gamma oscillation. In the fourth, control protocol, 80 Hz tACS was continuously superimposed over the 4 Hz tACS, therefore lacking any phase-specificity in the CFC. During the 20-minute of stimulation, the participants performed a Go/NoGo monetary reward- and punishment-based instrumental learning task. A Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that relative to the control, the peak-coupled tACS had no effects on the behavioral performance, whereas the trough-coupled tACS and, to a lesser extent, amplitude-modulated tACS reduced performance in conflicting trials. Our results suggest that cognitive control depends on the phase-specificity of the theta-gamma CFC

"Soli Deo Gloria" A protestáns egyházak története Komáromban, a Duna két partján

A kötet a magyarországi és a szlovákiai Komárom protestáns egyházainak a történetét bemutatja, hiszen a két Komárom valaha egy város volt és a magyarországi (Dél-)Komárom református és evangélikus egyháza az I. világháborút lezáró Trianoni béke következtében _ hivatalosan is – elcsatolt északi városrészből áttelepült egyházi emberek és hívek összefogásával jött létre. Ehhez csatlakozik még az 1977-től közigazgatásilag Komáromhoz tartozó nagy múltú település, Szőny református egyháza. Ily módon a kiállítás 7 protestáns egyház (és a hozzájuk kapcsolódó oktatás, gyülekezeti élet) történetét fogja össze az egyházközségekben fellelhető történeti munkák, jegyzőkönyvek, a régi és mai lelkészek és presbiterek összegyűjtött életrajza segítségével. A képekkel és dokumneumokkal gazdagon illusztrált, 420 oldalas kötet méltón mutatja be a komáromi protestáns egyházak gazdag történetét

Modulating Visuomotor Sequence Learning by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: What Do We Know So Far?

Predictive processes and numerous cognitive, motor, and social skills depend heavily on sequence learning. The visuomotor Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT) can measure this fundamental cognitive process. To comprehend the neural underpinnings of the SRTT, non-invasive brain stimulation stands out as one of the most effective methodologies. Nevertheless, a systematic list of considerations for the design of such interventional studies is currently lacking. To address this gap, this review aimed to investigate whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a viable method of modulating visuomotor sequence learning and to identify the factors that mediate its efficacy. We systematically analyzed the eligible records (n = 17) that attempted to modulate the performance of the SRTT with rTMS. The purpose of the analysis was to determine how the following factors affected SRTT performance: (1) stimulated brain regions, (2) rTMS protocols, (3) stimulated hemisphere, (4) timing of the stimulation, (5) SRTT sequence properties, and (6) other methodological features. The primary motor cortex (M1) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were found to be the most promising stimulation targets. Low-frequency protocols over M1 usually weaken performance, but the results are less consistent for the DLPFC. This review provides a comprehensive discussion about the behavioral effects of six factors that are crucial in designing future studies to modulate sequence learning with rTMS. Future studies may preferentially and synergistically combine functional neuroimaging with rTMS to adequately link the rTMS-induced network effects with behavioral findings, which are crucial to develop a unified cognitive model of visuomotor sequence learning

Az életkor jelentősége malignus szájüregi daganatok prognózisakor. Klinikai vizsgálat

The problem of malignant tumors developing in a young age is a topic of special importance and subject of intensive research. The occurrence of oral cavity tumors shows a decreasing trend worldwide, while the incidences of oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed at young adulthood is increasing. The etiology of tumors developing in young age is not yet fully understood, however, it can be stated that the usual high-risk behavioral patterns (i.e. smoking and alcohol abuse) play only a minor role in this patient group, if any. Our own observations indicate a higher regional and locoregional relapse for these patients and, although they turn for help early, at an early stage of the disease, a lower chance of survival. The target of our research was to analyze the differences in certain etiological, pathological and clinical parameters of our own patient group consisting of both young and older patients. The data of 105 young (50 years) patients were analyzed. The patients have undergone surgery and, if necessary, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The tumor-specific survival was determined at 36 months. Our study aimed at understanding the relationship between the clinical prognostic factors (stage, localization, anamnestic time), smoking habits, gender and age of the patients. Relationship between cancer occurrence (local, locoregional relapse) and survival rate, as well as age and survival rate were analyzed. We found that young patients report themselves for treatment at an early stage. Smoking and alcohol abuse were considerably less. When a relapse occurs, it occurs more frequently and earlier than at older patients. The most decisive correlation was observed between age and anamnestic time, age and number of cigarettes smoked, age and time elapsed until relapse, as well as age and cancer-specific survival. Moreover, cancer-specific survival of patients younger than 50 years of age was found significantly shorter than in the control group

Szabályos és rendhagyó ragozású szavak pszicholingvisztikai vizsgálata

Jelen kutatás fő célja a szabályos és rendhagyó ragozású szavak összehasonlítása ragozott szóterjedelem tesztek és reakcióidő feladat segítségével. A vizsgálat alapkérdése, hogy a rendhagyó ragozású szavak esetében egészleges tárolás valósul-e meg, vagy hasonlóan képezzük őket, mint a szabályos alakokat. További cél az online (menetközbeni) feldolgozás és a memória összefüggésének feltárása. A kutatásban 37 egészséges, átlagos munkamemóriájú egyetemista vett részt, 8 férfi és 29 nő. A vizsgálati alanyok egy szóvisszamondási és egy szónemszó lexikális döntési feladatban vettek részt. Míg a kísérleti személyek a szónemszó döntési feladatban jobb eredményt értek el a szabályos ragozású szavak esetén, addig a memóriafeladatban nincs számottevő különbség a szabályos és a rendhagyó alakok között. Eredményeink alapján úgy tűnik, hogy a rendhagyó ragozású szavakat hasonlóan képezzük, mint a szabályos ragozású szavakat, tehát az olyan gazdag alaktannal rendelkező nyelvek esetében, ahol az inflexiós rag azonosítható a rendhagyó szavak esetén is, dekompozíció fog megvalósulni