Source 1primary paper2025MED
Toolkit/neuronavigated TMS positioning
neuronavigated TMS positioning
Also known as: neuronavigation for consistent TMS positioning
Taxonomy: Technique Branch / Method. Workflows sit above the mechanism and technique branches rather than replacing them.
Summary
Here, we conducted a pre-registered replication of this protocol that benefited from three additional features: double-blind application of TUS, neuronavigation for consistent TMS positioning, and individualised 3D acoustic simulations to assess M1 target exposure to TUS.
Usefulness & Problems
Why this is useful
This is a neuronavigation-supported TMS positioning approach used to keep TMS measurements consistent across the replication study.; consistent TMS positioning; improving reproducibility of corticospinal excitability measurements
Source:
This is a neuronavigation-supported TMS positioning approach used to keep TMS measurements consistent across the replication study.
Source:
consistent TMS positioning
Source:
improving reproducibility of corticospinal excitability measurements
Problem solved
It addresses measurement-position consistency when collecting corticospinal excitability readouts.; reduces inconsistency in TMS positioning during outcome measurement
Source:
It addresses measurement-position consistency when collecting corticospinal excitability readouts.
Source:
reduces inconsistency in TMS positioning during outcome measurement
Problem links
reduces inconsistency in TMS positioning during outcome measurement
LiteratureIt addresses measurement-position consistency when collecting corticospinal excitability readouts.
Source:
It addresses measurement-position consistency when collecting corticospinal excitability readouts.
Published Workflows
Objective: Replicate a previously reported offline 5 Hz-rTUS protocol for increasing corticospinal excitability while improving reproducibility through double-blinding, consistent TMS positioning, and individualized acoustic target-exposure assessment.
Why it works: The workflow is intended to test the reported neuromodulatory effect under tighter control of bias, measurement consistency, and target-exposure estimation than the original protocol.
neuromodulatory effects of 5 Hz-rTUS on M1corticospinal excitability changesdouble-blind applicationneuronavigated TMS positioningindividualized 3D acoustic simulationpre-registrationsham-controlled comparison
Stages
- 1.Protocol setup with reproducibility enhancements(decision_gate)
The abstract explicitly states that the replication benefited from added features intended to improve study rigor and reproducibility.
Selection: Use a pre-registered, double-blind design with neuronavigation and individualized acoustic simulations to improve reproducibility relative to the original protocol.
- 2.Sham-controlled physiological outcome measurement(confirmatory_validation)
This stage tests whether the reported excitability effect replicates under the improved study design.
Selection: Measure rMT, MEP amplitude, SICI, and ICF in response to 5 Hz-rTUS versus sham.
- 3.Post-hoc acoustic target-exposure analysis(secondary_characterization)
The post-hoc simulations were used to interpret the null physiological findings in light of targeting variability.
Selection: Assess where the acoustic focus fell relative to the anatomical M1-hand area.
Steps
- 1.Pre-register and double-blind the replication protocol
Reduce bias and improve reproducibility in the replication attempt.
These design features define the study before outcome collection.
- 2.Determine transducer location using the TMS-hotspot for the right FDI motor representation
Place the transducer according to the original work's targeting approach.
Target location must be set before stimulation and outcome testing.
- 3.Measure rMT, MEP amplitude, SICI, and ICF after 5 Hz-rTUS versus shamstimulation protocol and measurement-positioning method
Test whether active 5 Hz-rTUS changes corticospinal excitability-related outcomes relative to sham.
This is the primary confirmatory test of the reported neuromodulatory effect after protocol setup and targeting.
- 4.Run post-hoc individualized 3D acoustic simulations to assess M1 target exposuretarget-exposure assessment method
Interpret the physiological results by estimating whether the acoustic focus reached the anatomical M1-hand area.
The abstract explicitly describes these simulations as post-hoc, indicating they were used after outcome measurement to explain variability and null effects.
Taxonomy & Function
Primary hierarchy
Technique Branch
Method: A concrete measurement method used to characterize an engineered system.
Mechanisms
spatial guidance of tms coil positioningTechniques
Functional AssayTarget processes
No target processes tagged yet.
Implementation Constraints
cofactor dependency: cofactor requirement unknownencoding mode: genetically encodedimplementation constraint: context specific validationoperating role: sensor
The abstract supports that TMS and neuronavigation infrastructure were required.; requires neuronavigation integrated with TMS measurements
The abstract indicates that TMS-hotspot location can still correspond poorly to the anatomical M1-hand area, so consistent TMS positioning does not guarantee correct ultrasound target exposure.; does not resolve poor correspondence between TMS-hotspot location and anatomical M1-hand area
Validation
Cell-freeBacteriaMammalianMouseHumanTherapeuticIndep. Replication
Supporting Sources
Ranked Claims
In this pre-registered double-blind replication, offline 5 Hz-rTUS produced no significant effects versus sham on measured corticospinal excitability-related outcomes.
The authors suggest that double-blinding, neuronavigated TMS, individualized acoustic simulations for TUS targeting, and pre-registration will aid reproducibility across studies.
Post-hoc individualized acoustic simulations showed considerable variability of the acoustic focus, with the focus outside the anatomical M1-hand area in 67% of participants.
participants with acoustic focus outside anatomical M1-hand area 67 %
Approval Evidence
1 source1 linked approval claimfirst-pass slug neuronavigated-tms-positioning
Here, we conducted a pre-registered replication of this protocol that benefited from three additional features: double-blind application of TUS, neuronavigation for consistent TMS positioning, and individualised 3D acoustic simulations to assess M1 target exposure to TUS.
Source:
reproducibility recommendationsupports
The authors suggest that double-blinding, neuronavigated TMS, individualized acoustic simulations for TUS targeting, and pre-registration will aid reproducibility across studies.
Source:
Comparisons
Source-stated alternatives
The source does not name a specific alternative positioning system, but it contrasts improved neuronavigated positioning with the original protocol lacking this added feature.
Source:
The source does not name a specific alternative positioning system, but it contrasts improved neuronavigated positioning with the original protocol lacking this added feature.
Source-backed strengths
explicitly included to improve consistency and reproducibility
Source:
explicitly included to improve consistency and reproducibility
Compared with Langendorff perfused heart electrical recordings
neuronavigated TMS positioning and Langendorff perfused heart electrical recordings address a similar problem space.
Shared frame: same top-level item type
Strengths here: looks easier to implement in practice.
Compared with native green gel system
neuronavigated TMS positioning and native green gel system address a similar problem space.
Shared frame: same top-level item type
Strengths here: looks easier to implement in practice.
neuronavigated TMS positioning and sub-picosecond pump-probe analysis of bacteriorhodopsin pigments address a similar problem space.
Shared frame: same top-level item type
Strengths here: looks easier to implement in practice.
Ranked Citations