Differential modulation of sensorimotor beta oscillations by beta tACS alone and combined repetitive paired-pulse TMS with tACS

2026/05/09 by Hisato Nakazono, Akinori Takeda, Emi Yamada +4 · 1 voice
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies #Neural dynamics and brain function #Action Observation and Synchronization

paper · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.121988

openalex publication_date 2026/05/09 · openalex created_date 2026/05/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/26

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Combined stimulation with transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the beta frequency and repetitive paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (rPPS) produces different after-effects on cortical excitability in the primary motor cortex (M1) compared with either stimulation alone. Sensorimotor beta oscillations are broadly implicated in resting-state activity, as well as in phasic and sustained movements. However, whether combined stimulation can modulate oscillatory activities remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To address the effects of combined stimulation on sensorimotor beta oscillations. METHODS: We applied rPPS pulses synchronized with the peak phase of beta tACS (rPPS-tACS), rPPS with sham tACS (rPPS alone), or tACS without rPPS (tACS alone). Cortico-muscular coherence (CMC), movement-related beta desynchronization (MRBD), post-movement beta rebound (PMBR), and beta power during the resting-state and CMC tasks were measured before and after the intervention to assess their impact on sensorimotor beta oscillations. RESULTS: rPPS-tACS increased the CMC and decreased the aperiodic offset. A strong correlation was observed between CMC modulation and beta burst rate in the rPPS-tACS condition. tACS alone increased resting beta power, whereas rPPS alone did not modulate any measurements. Moreover, although rPPS-tACS and tACS alone increased the PMBR, their after-effects emerged at high- and low-beta oscillations, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that rPPS-tACS and tACS alone over M1 may modulate distinct neural populations underlying sensorimotor beta oscillations. Our combined stimulation with rPPS and beta tACS may be a useful approach for elucidating the diverse functional roles of these oscillations.

Citations

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Discussions

• Differential modulation of sensorimotor beta oscillations by beta tACS alone and combined repetitive paired-pulse TMS with tACS by Nakazono H et al 2026 doi.org/10.1016/j.ne... ⚡🧠 🧲 #TMS #BrainSt [bsky, 4 points, 0 comments]

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