'RMT-Finder': an automated procedure to determine the Resting Motor Threshold for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

IF 2.3 4区医学 Q2 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS

Journal of Neuroscience Methods Pub Date : 2026-05-02 DOI:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2026.110787

Laurine F Boidequin, Marcos Moreno-Verdú, Baptiste M Waltzing, Julien J Lambert, Elise E Van Caenegem, Charlène Truong, Robert M Hardwick

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) studies identify the Resting Motor Threshold (RMT) to calibrate stimulation intensity. However, this procedure is time-consuming and subject to variability. We developed an automated procedure to improve the efficiency and standardization of RMT determination.

New method: We developed an algorithm that measures MEP amplitudes and automatically adjusts stimulation intensity to determine the RMT. Experiment 1 compared this automated method with the manual procedure in terms of reliability and equivalence. Experiment 2 developed a "Fast" automated process, assessing it against both the manual and initial automated procedures.

Results: Across both experiments the automated approach demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability and strong agreement with the manual method (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ≥0.95), giving estimates of RMT statistically equivalent to those of manual measurements within ±3% MSO, with the majority of comparisons within ±2% MSO. Experiment 2 optimized the procedure, allowing empirical determination of the RMT in an average of <3minutes with only 33-34 pulses.

Comparison with existing methods: 'RMT-Finder' provides a reliable and time-efficient alternative to manual approaches. This procedure can improve standardization and reproducibility in TMS studies.

Conclusions: Automating RMT assessment allows rapid and highly reproducible assessment of this standard TMS measurement, making it viable for inclusion in routine clinical applications that require standardized procedures.

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“RMT-Finder”：一个自动程序，以确定静息运动阈值经颅磁刺激。

背景：经颅磁刺激（TMS）研究确定静息运动阈值（RMT）来校准刺激强度。然而，这个过程是耗时的，并受到变化的影响。我们开发了一个自动化的程序来提高RMT测定的效率和标准化。新方法：我们开发了一种算法，可以测量MEP振幅并自动调整刺激强度以确定RMT。实验1将该自动化方法与人工方法在可靠性和等效性方面进行了比较。实验2开发了一个“快速”自动化过程，根据手动和初始自动化过程对其进行评估。结果：在两个实验中，自动化方法都表现出优异的重测信度，与手工方法非常一致（类内相关系数≥0.95），在±3%的误差范围内给出的RMT估计值与手工测量的RMT在统计上相当，大多数比较在±2%的误差范围内。实验2优化了程序，允许在与现有方法的平均比较中经验确定RMT：“RMT- finder”提供了一种可靠且省时的人工方法替代方案。该程序可以提高经颅磁刺激研究的标准化和可重复性。结论：自动化RMT评估允许快速和高度可重复的评估这一标准TMS测量，使其可行纳入常规临床应用需要标准化的程序。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Neuroscience Methods 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

3.30%

发文量

226

审稿时长

52 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Neuroscience Methods publishes papers that describe new methods that are specifically for neuroscience research conducted in invertebrates, vertebrates or in man. Major methodological improvements or important refinements of established neuroscience methods are also considered for publication. The Journal''s Scope includes all aspects of contemporary neuroscience research, including anatomical, behavioural, biochemical, cellular, computational, molecular, invasive and non-invasive imaging, optogenetic, and physiological research investigations.