Modulation of non-painful phantom sensation in subjects with XXXX by means of rTMS.

@entity550 @entity9808 @entity158 @entity1566 @entity20293
UNASSIGNED: We aimed in this study to investigate whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), given as @entity9808 ( @entity9808 ), can interfere with @entity158 in subjects with @entity1566 ( @entity1566 ). In double-blind, sham-controlled experiments in five subjects with cervical or thoracic traumatic @entity1566 , we evaluated the effects of a single session of inhibitory (continuous) @entity9808 , excitatory (intermittent) @entity9808 , or placebo @entity158 . The interventions targeted the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1), the primary sensory cortex (S1) and the @entity550 ( @entity550 ). Measurements were carried out at baseline (T0), 5min (T1) and 30min later (T2) after the intervention. Descriptive evaluation of results shows that @entity158 were not affected by rTMS applied over M1. Continuous (inhibitory) @entity9808 over S1 induced a @entity158 , while continuous @entity9808 over @entity550 induced a short-lasting @entity20293 . Intermittent (excitatory) @entity9808 over @entity550 induced a slight increase of @entity158 . Tests for significance confirm these observations, but must be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size. In conclusion, @entity158 may be associated to a hyperexcitability of @entity550 and to a lesser extent of S1, which can be normalized by inhibitory rTMS. Our preliminary findings provide further evidence that neuromodulatory techniques are able to reverse phantom sensations not only after limb amputation but also in other conditions characterized by deafferentation such as @entity1566 .
