TMS Neurofeedback

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method to stimulate the brain. Applying TMS over the hand area of the human motor cortex can induce motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in finger muscles, a read out of corticomotor excitability.

With TMS-based neurofeedback training we study the brain’s ability to modulate the motor system without overt movements. To do so, we provide participants visual feedback on the amplitude of their MEPs while they imagine finger movements. By using such motor imagery strategies, participants can learn to selectively increase corticomotor excitability for individual finger representations. The focus of this project is on the investigation of neuroplastic changes in the sensorimotor cortex induced by TMS-based neurofeedback training. With that, we intend to provide the basis for a neurorehabilitation intervention that does not rely on overt movements and aims to improve fine motor functions e.g., after a stroke or spinal cord injury.