Current Biology
Volume 21, Issue 4, 22 February 2011, Pages 334-337
Journal home page for Current Biology

Report
Rhythmic TMS over Parietal Cortex Links Distinct Brain Frequencies to Global versus Local Visual Processing

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.01.035Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Summary

Neural networks underlying visual perception exhibit oscillations at different frequencies (e.g., [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]). But how these map onto distinct aspects of visual perception remains elusive. Recent electroencephalography data indicate that theta or beta frequencies at parietal sensors increase in amplitude when conscious perception is dominated by global or local features, respectively, of a reversible visual stimulus [6]. But this provides only correlative, noninterventional evidence. Here we show via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) interventions that short rhythmic bursts of right-parietal TMS at theta or beta frequency can causally benefit processing of global or local levels, respectively, for hierarchical visual stimuli, especially in the context of salient incongruent distractors. This double dissociation between theta and beta TMS reveals distinct causal roles for particular frequencies in processing global versus local visual features.

Highlights

► Rhythmic TMS causally targets particular brain processes in a frequency-specific way ► Right-parietal TMS at beta-frequency selectively enhances local visual processing ► Right-parietal TMS at theta-frequency selectively enhances global visual processing ► Rhythmic TMS is a powerful tool for frequency-specific interventions in brain function

Cited by (0)