Epidemiology of neurophysiological parameters of the brain using transcranial magnetic stimulation

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Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) enables a non-invasive and in vivo investigation of the excitability of the human brain. Although used in neurological clinical diagnostics and in neuroscientific research in a large number of studies, no systematic, epidemiological studies on a large, population-representative cohort are available up to date.The aim of this application is to introduce TMS into a new study population of one of the largest epidemiological studies in Germany (Study of Health In Pomerania SHIP). For the first time, the relationship between the excitability of the brain (primary) and its facilitation and inhibition (secondary) will be determined using simple TMS-parameters on a total population of approx. 2000 participants. For the first time it will be possible to create neurophysiological norm values in relation to various individual variables such as age, sex or height on a larger scale. Such a cohort also enables to validate current studies of highly selected populations in specific neurological-psychiatric (e.g. headaches and depression) and systemic diseases (e.g. diabetes mellitus).The results therefore will help to better understand the individual values in the context of diagnostic routine as well as in the further expanding field of neuroscience. Furthermore, it drives the development of neurophysiological and therapeutic approaches.