Publication date: December 2017Source:Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 77
Author(s): Guray Koc, Zeki Gokcil, Semai Bek, Tayfun Kasikci, Erdal Eroglu, Zeki Odabasi
IntroductionTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive technique for investigating cortical physiologic functions in the brain. In this study, the effects of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) on motor evoked potential (MEP) parameters in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) were investigated.Materials and methodsFifteen patients with IGE were included. Motor threshold (MT) and cortical silent period (CSP) were determined before cTBS application. Next, cTBS was applied to the dominant (left) hemisphere M1 hand area as the first application. After 1 day, cTBS was applied first to the left M1 hand area and then to the right lateral cerebellar area as the second application. Parameters were again determined after the applications.ResultsThere was no difference in resting MT values before and after cTBS application (p>0.05). Although CSP increased after stimulation (p<0.05), it was not significantly different between applications (p>0.05).ConclusionFor patients with epilepsy, cTBS is a safe technique when applied at a low intensity. The inhibitory effect of cTBS, a noninvasive technique, on cortical excitability in patients with IGE was determined using MEP parameters. The effect lasted at least 1 h. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the effect of cTBS on cortical excitability in patients with IGE. Our findings indicate that cTBS decreases cortical excitability in patients with IGE.
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