Cited by 71Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesFunctional Brain Connectivity Studies

Network-targeted cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation improves attentional control

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Esterman, Michael, Thai, Michelle, Okabe, Hidefusa, DeGutis, Joseph, Saad, Elyana, Laganiere, Simon E., Halko, Mark A.·2017·NeuroImage

Abstract

Developing non-invasive brain stimulation interventions to improve attentional control is extremely relevant to a variety of neurological and psychiatric populations, yet few studies have identified reliable biomarkers that can be readily modified to improve attentional control. One potential biomarker of attention is functional connectivity in the core cortical network supporting attention - the dorsal attention network (DAN). We used a network-targeted cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) procedure, intended to enhance cortical functional connectivity in the DAN. Specifically, in healthy young adults we administered intermittent theta burst TMS (iTBS) to the midline cerebellar node of the DAN and, as a control, the right cerebellar node of the default mode network (DMN). These cerebellar targets were localized using individual resting-state fMRI scans. Participants completed assessments of both sustained (gradual onset continuous performance task, gradCPT) and transient attentional control (attentional blink) immediately before and after stimulation, in two sessions (cerebellar DAN and DMN). Following cerebellar DAN stimulation, participants had significantly fewer attentional lapses (lower commission error rates) on the gradCPT. In contrast, stimulation to the cerebellar DMN did not affect gradCPT performance. Further, in the DAN condition, individuals with worse baseline gradCPT performance showed the greatest enhancement in gradCPT performance. These results suggest that temporarily increasing functional connectivity in the DAN via network-targeted cerebellar stimulation can enhance sustained attention, particularly in those with poor baseline performance. With regard to transient attention, TMS stimulation improved attentional blink performance across both stimulation sites, suggesting increasing functional connectivity in both networks can enhance this aspect of attention. These findings have important implications for intervention applications of TMS and theoretical models of functional connectivity.

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Authors
Esterman, M., Thai, M., Okabe, H., DeGutis, J., Saad, E., Laganiere, S. E., & Halko, M. A.
Affiliations
  • Boston University (US)
  • VA Boston Healthcare System (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Esterman, Michael
Venue
NeuroImage
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-08
Volume
156
Pages
190-198
ISSN
1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2613477659
Cited by
71
References
97
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2
FWCI
3.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • NeuroImage (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Clinical Science Research & Development Career Development Award (1IK2CX000706-01A2)
  • National Institutes of Health (1R01MH112706)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Keywords
cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation, dorsal attention network, default mode network, functional connectivity, sustained attention, transient attention, attentional blink, intermittent theta burst stimulation, non-invasive brain stimulation, attentional lapses
MeSH terms
Attention, Cerebellum, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Neural Pathways, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Young Adult

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