Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital Stimulation
(1) Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS–EEG) provides a unique opportunity to investigate brain connectivity. However, possible hemispheric asymmetries in signal propagation dynamics following occipital TMS have not been investigated. (2) Methods:...
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/21/8833 |
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| author | Ilaria Siviero Davide Bonfanti Gloria Menegaz Silvia Savazzi Chiara Mazzi Silvia Francesca Storti |
| author_facet | Ilaria Siviero Davide Bonfanti Gloria Menegaz Silvia Savazzi Chiara Mazzi Silvia Francesca Storti |
| author_sort | Ilaria Siviero |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS–EEG) provides a unique opportunity to investigate brain connectivity. However, possible hemispheric asymmetries in signal propagation dynamics following occipital TMS have not been investigated. (2) Methods: Eighteen healthy participants underwent occipital single-pulse TMS at two different EEG sites, corresponding to early visual areas. We used a state-of-the-art Bayesian estimation approach to accurately estimate TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) from EEG data, which has not been previously used in this context. To capture the rapid dynamics of information flow patterns, we implemented a self-tuning optimized Kalman (STOK) filter in conjunction with the information partial directed coherence (iPDC) measure, enabling us to derive time-varying connectivity matrices. Subsequently, graph analysis was conducted to assess key network properties, providing insight into the overall network organization of the brain network. (3) Results: Our findings revealed distinct lateralized effects on effective brain connectivity and graph networks after TMS stimulation, with left stimulation facilitating enhanced communication between contralateral frontal regions and right stimulation promoting increased intra-hemispheric ipsilateral connectivity, as evidenced by statistical test (<i>p</i> < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The identified hemispheric differences in terms of connectivity provide novel insights into brain networks involved in visual information processing, revealing the hemispheric specificity of neural responses to occipital stimulation. |
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| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:21:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-11fac2dcf2e945e098388b8ed366c7aa2023-11-10T15:12:17ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-10-012321883310.3390/s23218833Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital StimulationIlaria Siviero0Davide Bonfanti1Gloria Menegaz2Silvia Savazzi3Chiara Mazzi4Silvia Francesca Storti5Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, ItalyPerception and Awareness (PandA) Lab., Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro 10, 37124 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, ItalyPerception and Awareness (PandA) Lab., Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro 10, 37124 Verona, ItalyPerception and Awareness (PandA) Lab., Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro 10, 37124 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy(1) Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS–EEG) provides a unique opportunity to investigate brain connectivity. However, possible hemispheric asymmetries in signal propagation dynamics following occipital TMS have not been investigated. (2) Methods: Eighteen healthy participants underwent occipital single-pulse TMS at two different EEG sites, corresponding to early visual areas. We used a state-of-the-art Bayesian estimation approach to accurately estimate TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) from EEG data, which has not been previously used in this context. To capture the rapid dynamics of information flow patterns, we implemented a self-tuning optimized Kalman (STOK) filter in conjunction with the information partial directed coherence (iPDC) measure, enabling us to derive time-varying connectivity matrices. Subsequently, graph analysis was conducted to assess key network properties, providing insight into the overall network organization of the brain network. (3) Results: Our findings revealed distinct lateralized effects on effective brain connectivity and graph networks after TMS stimulation, with left stimulation facilitating enhanced communication between contralateral frontal regions and right stimulation promoting increased intra-hemispheric ipsilateral connectivity, as evidenced by statistical test (<i>p</i> < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The identified hemispheric differences in terms of connectivity provide novel insights into brain networks involved in visual information processing, revealing the hemispheric specificity of neural responses to occipital stimulation.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/21/8833TMS–EEGoccipital stimulationTEPbrain functional connectivitygraph analysis |
| spellingShingle | Ilaria Siviero Davide Bonfanti Gloria Menegaz Silvia Savazzi Chiara Mazzi Silvia Francesca Storti Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital Stimulation Sensors TMS–EEG occipital stimulation TEP brain functional connectivity graph analysis |
| title | Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital Stimulation |
| title_full | Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital Stimulation |
| title_fullStr | Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital Stimulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital Stimulation |
| title_short | Graph Analysis of TMS–EEG Connectivity Reveals Hemispheric Differences following Occipital Stimulation |
| title_sort | graph analysis of tms eeg connectivity reveals hemispheric differences following occipital stimulation |
| topic | TMS–EEG occipital stimulation TEP brain functional connectivity graph analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/21/8833 |
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