Aimee Flores | Rapid structural and functional cortical plasticity following a single iTBS session over the PMd

The present study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms mediating the immediate response to a single intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) session delivered over the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd). Research indicates that PMd influences modulatory inputs to the cortico-spinal tract and primary motor cortex (M1), with potential clinical significance for patients with different motor impairments. Therefore, promoting the activation of PMd holds potential as a therapeutic approach for motor rehabilitation. One of the possible tools to enhance PMd excitability is iTBS, which has been proposed to enhance brain excitability. The former study will investigate the underlying structural and functional plasticity mechanisms elicited by iTBS over PMd as assessed by motor evoked potentials, diffusion-weighted imaging and resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-MRI). We anticipate that a single iTBS session over the non-dominant PMd will modulate excitability by changing structural and functional connectivity in cortical motor regions. The findings of the study will be useful for understanding of underlying plasticity mechanisms elicited by iTBS over PMd and informing future interventional clinical trials.