Single pulse TMS to the DLPFC, compared to a matched sham control, induces a direct, causal increase in caudate, cingulate, and thalamic BOLD signal

This TMS/fMRI study evaluated a control condition that preserved many of the sensory features of TMS while reducing magnetic field entry. These findings support a relationship between single pulses of TMS and activity in anatomically connected regions, but also underscore the importance of using a sham condition in future TMS/fMRI studies.