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Masking the Auditory Evoked Potential in TMS–EEG: A Comparison of Various Methods

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Abstract

There is growing interest in combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electroencephalography (EEG). Because TMS pulses are accompanied by a clicking sound, it is very likely that part of the response in the EEG consists of an auditory evoked potential (AEP). Different methods have been applied to mask the sound of TMS. However, it is unclear which masking method is most effective in reducing the AEP. In this study we explore the presumed contribution of the AEP to the response and evaluate different ways to mask the TMS clicking sound. Twelve healthy subjects and one completely deaf subject participated in this study. Eight different masking conditions were evaluated in nine hearing subjects. The amplitude of the N100–P180 complex was compared between the different masking conditions. We were not able to completely suppress the N100–P180 when the coil was placed on top of the head. Using an earmuff or exposing the subjects to white or adapted noise caused a small but significant reduction in N100–P180 amplitude, but the largest reduction was achieved when combining a layer of foam, placed between coil and head, with white or adapted noise. The deaf subject also showed a N100–P180 complex. We conclude that both the TMS clicking sound and cortical activation by the magnetic pulse contribute to the N100–P180 amplitude.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Benjamin de Jonge, MSc, for his assistance during the measurements. This study is financed by the Dutch PIDON Grant, in which Advanced Neuro Technology (Enschede, Netherlands) participates as an industrial partner.

Conflict of interest

E. ter Braack, C. de Vos and M. van Putten reported no financial interests or potential conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, MIRA—Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Carré CR 3.714, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Esther M. ter Braack, Cecile C. de Vos & Michel J. A. M. van Putten

  2. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Cecile C. de Vos & Michel J. A. M. van Putten

Authors
  1. Esther M. ter Braack
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  2. Cecile C. de Vos
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  3. Michel J. A. M. van Putten
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Correspondence to Esther M. ter Braack.

Additional information

This is one of several papers published together in Brain Topography in the "Special Issue: Auditory Cortex".

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ter Braack, E.M., de Vos, C.C. & van Putten, M.J.A.M. Masking the Auditory Evoked Potential in TMS–EEG: A Comparison of Various Methods. Brain Topogr 28, 520–528 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-013-0312-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-013-0312-z

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