Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3043985 | Clinical Neurophysiology | 2011 | 7 Pages |
ObjectiveTo investigate test–retest reliability of visual cortical excitatory and inhibitory phenomena.MethodsTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied over occipital cortex twice in 22 healthy young adults with at least a one-month interval between both measurements. The test–retest reliability of the phosphenes and TMS-induced suppression of visual perception was assessed using correlation and calculation of the repeatability coefficient.ResultsBoth analyses revealed a high reliability for phosphenes but not for the suppression of visual perception.ConclusionsIt seems likely that the phosphenes may be better used than the TMS-induced suppression of visual perception in experiments which need repeated measurements (e.g., longitudinal studies or studies with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions).SignificanceThe study demonstrates a rather limited value of the TMS-induced suppression of visual perception for studies with repeated measurements.
► High retest-reliability and repeatability of phosphenes evoked by the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). ► Low retest-reliability and repeatability of the TMS induced suppression of visual perception. ► Higher value of excitatory and lower of inhibitory phenomena in the visual cortex for studies with repeated measurements.