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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation pp 143–152Cite as

Offline and Online “Virtual Lesion” Protocols

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Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 89))

Abstract

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can be used to transiently disrupt the function of specified cortical targets. If this disruption is generated prior to the onset of a critical regional function, a suppression or arrest of the said function may result. This method of using TMS to disrupt functions has been dubbed the “virtual lesion” approach. In this chapter, we explore both the mechanistic and functional foundations of this novel technique. After briefly discussing the history and development of this paradigm, we outline practical applications of the “virtual lesion” in clinical, cognitive, and behavioral research. Finally, we offer practical considerations to ensure successful experimentation with and application of this technique.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laval University, 1050 Ave. de la Medecine, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1V 0AG6

    Shirley Fecteau

  2. Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Mark Eldaief

Authors
  1. Shirley Fecteau
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  2. Mark Eldaief
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shirley Fecteau .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neuromodulation Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Alexander Rotenberg

  2. Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Jared Cooney Horvath

  3. Berenson Allen Center for Noninvasive, Brain Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Alvaro Pascual-Leone

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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Fecteau, S., Eldaief, M. (2014). Offline and Online “Virtual Lesion” Protocols. In: Rotenberg, A., Horvath, J., Pascual-Leone, A. (eds) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Neuromethods, vol 89. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0879-0_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0879-0_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0878-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0879-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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