Modulation of Cognitive Control Signals in Prefrontal Cortex by Rhythmic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Neural oscillations are proposed to be a mechanism of coordinating information processing
across distributed regions of cortex. Different neural oscillations may correspond to
different underlying neural computations. Noninvasive brain stimulation allows experimenters
to modulate specific neural oscillations by targeting particular frequency bands. By
collecting simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG), rhythmic transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS) has been previously demonstrated to entrain neural oscillations at the
frequency of stimulation. Furthermore, when the frequency of entrained neural oscillations is
matched to the frequency of endogenous activity in a cognitive task, the brain stimulation
improves behavioral performance. Therefore, noninvasive brain stimulation is a promising tool
for improving cognition by inducing optimal neural activity via externally applied
electromagnetic fields; e.g. cognitive control improvements.

Previous evidence has implicated neural activity in the alpha band (8-12 Hz) in information
suppression and activity in the theta band (4-7 Hz) in information prioritization. Cognitive
control task paradigms have been shown to elicit distinct activity in both of these bands. In
this task, the stimuli are lateralized to the right and left visual field during encoding.
After a short delay, a cue informs participants which stimuli (right or left) will be tested.
Previous evidence found that alpha activity in parietal cortex is generated contralateral to
irrelevant stimuli—supporting the role of alpha in information suppression—while theta
activity in frontal cortex increases with the number of stimuli to be remembered—supporting
the role of theta in information prioritization.

For the current study, the investigators propose to deliver rhythmic trains of TMS in either
alpha frequency, theta frequency, or an arrhythmic control to modulate neural processing
during a cognitive control task. By collecting simultaneous EEG with TMS, the investigators
will be able to measure the entrained oscillations from rhythmic TMS. The goal of this
experiment is to enhance the observed theta and alpha activity that is seen with the
successful prioritization and suppression of information. To provide causal evidence that
parietal cortex generates alpha activity and frontal cortex generates theta activity, the
investigators will apply rhythmic TMS stimulation to two scalp locations: the anterior middle
frontal gyrus and inferior intraparietal sulcus. By applying alpha frequency, theta
frequency, and arrhythmic TMS at each location, the investigators will be able to examine the
causal relationship of frontal theta oscillations in information prioritization and parietal
alpha oscillations in information suppression.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Healthy

- Between the ages of 18 and 35

- Right handed

- Able to provide informed consent

- Willing to comply with all study procedures

- Available for the duration of the study

- Speak and understand English.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (currently under treatment)

- Neurological disorders and conditions, including, but not limited to: History of
epilepsy Seizures (except childhood febrile seizures) -Dementia

- History of stroke

- Parkinson's disease

- Multiple sclerosis

- Cerebral aneurysm

- Brain tumors

- Medical or neurological illness or treatment for a medical disorder that could
interfere with study participation (e.g., unstable cardiac disease, HIV/AIDS,
malignancy, liver or renal impairment)

- Prior brain surgery -Any brain devices/implants, including cochlear implants and
aneurysm clips -Cardiac pacemaker -Any other implanted electronic device -History of
current traumatic brain injury -(For females) Pregnancy or breast feeding -Anything
that, in the opinion of the investigator, would place the participant at increased
risk or preclude the participant's full compliance with or completion of the study