The Effectiveness Of Electrode Placement During Paired Associative Stimulation

Samuel Seigler

School Name

Governor's School for Science and Math

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Psychology and Sociology

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Dr. Li; Institute of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina

Oral Presentation Award

1st Place

Written Paper Award

2nd Place

Abstract

Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS) is a relatively new technique in which a peripheral stimulation is paired with centrally applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which produces plasticity, as measured by TMS motor evoked potential (MEPs). During standard PAS treatment, TMS is timed with median nerve stimulation (a pulse sent to two electrodes placed one centimeter apart on the median nerve) to produce an increased excitability in parts of the brain. The hypothesis that higher levels of excitability in the brain can be seen after PAS is performed with an electrode placed on an acupuncture point (Hegu) instead of the two median nerve electrodes was tested. Multiple subjects were put through standard PAS and acupoint-PAS in order to observe the levels of excitability created by both types of PAS treatment. It was found that the hypothesis was not supported and acupoint-PAS is less effective at exciting the brain than standard-PAS treatment.

Location

Owens 108

Start Date

4-16-2016 9:45 AM

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 9:45 AM

The Effectiveness Of Electrode Placement During Paired Associative Stimulation

Owens 108

Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS) is a relatively new technique in which a peripheral stimulation is paired with centrally applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which produces plasticity, as measured by TMS motor evoked potential (MEPs). During standard PAS treatment, TMS is timed with median nerve stimulation (a pulse sent to two electrodes placed one centimeter apart on the median nerve) to produce an increased excitability in parts of the brain. The hypothesis that higher levels of excitability in the brain can be seen after PAS is performed with an electrode placed on an acupuncture point (Hegu) instead of the two median nerve electrodes was tested. Multiple subjects were put through standard PAS and acupoint-PAS in order to observe the levels of excitability created by both types of PAS treatment. It was found that the hypothesis was not supported and acupoint-PAS is less effective at exciting the brain than standard-PAS treatment.