Affiliations: Center for Non Invasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA | Département de psychologie and Centre Hospitalier
Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Canada
Note: [] Corresponding author: Hugo Théoret, PhD, Département de
psychologie, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succ.Centre-Ville,
Montreal, Qc, H3C 3J7, Canada. E-mail: hugo.theoret@umontreal.ca
Abstract: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced virtual lesions in
healthy subjects can be used to test neurofunctional models of disease. The
interhemispheric rivalry model of heminglect is well suited for such
investigations, as simple predictions derived from clinical data can be tested
without the caveats normally associated with lesion studies. One of these
predictions is that release from contralateral inhibition should lead to
increased parietal responsiveness, which, in turn, would enhance spatial
attention. Here, we detail studies showing TMS-induced paradoxical functional
facilitation of attention in healthy individuals and highlight their
contribution to the understanding and treatment of neglect syndromes.
