Beta Events and Sensory Perception

Low-frequency brain rhythms in the alpha (8-14Hz) and beta (15-29Hz) bands are strong predictors of perception and functional performance in a range of tasks, and are disrupted in several disease states. The purpose of this study is to investigate a direct causal relationship between low-frequency brain rhythms and sensory perception, and to optimize commonly used TMS paradigms to impact sensory processing and perception in a similar manner as endogenous rhythms. To do so, this study combines human magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation; TMS), and biophysically principled computational neural modeling.