Einfluss der repetitiven transkraniellen Magnetstimulation auf das verbale Arbeitsgedächtnis

Abstract

In this study we investigated the influence of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on verbal working memory in humans. We examined six cortical areas (middle frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus and inferior parietal cortex, each bilateral) and three control areas by applying rTMS (4 Hz, 30 s) to these areas before, while and after the subject performed a working memory task (2-back). Results: We found a significant decrease of task performance during rTMS on the middle frontal gyrus and the inferior parietal cortex (bilateral). This effect did not last longer than the stimulation. These results point out the important role of the bilateral prefrontal and parietal cortex for the function of verbal working memory.