Data from: Continuous theta burst stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex decreases medium load working memory performance in healthy humans

Schicktanz, Nathalie, University of Basel

Fastenrath, Matthias, University of Basel

Milnik, Annette, University of Basel

Spalek, Klara, University of Basel

Auschra, Bianca, University of Basel

Nyffeler, Thomas, University of Bern

Papassotiropoulos, Andreas, University of Basel

de Quervain, Dominique J.-F., University of Basel

Schwegler, Kyrill, University of Basel

Published Sep 23, 2016 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c5n61

Cite this dataset

Schicktanz, Nathalie et al. (2016). Data from: Continuous theta burst stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex decreases medium load working memory performance in healthy humans [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c5n61

Abstract

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays a key role in working memory. Evidence indicates that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the DLPFC can interfere with working memory performance. Here we investigated for how long continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over the DLPFC decreases working memory performance and whether the effect of cTBS on performance depends on working memory load. Forty healthy young subjects received either cTBS over the left DLPFC or sham stimulation before performing a 2-, and 3-back working memory letter task. An additional 0-back condition served as a non-memory-related control, measuring general attention. cTBS over the left DLPFC significantly impaired 2-back working memory performance for about 15 min, whereas 3-back and 0-back performances were not significantly affected. Our results indicate that the effect of left DLPFC cTBS on working memory performance lasts for roughly 15 min and depends on working memory load.

Usage notes

Group-based data

Group-based data underlying our results and the data points depicted in figure 2.

group_based_data_2cTBS_decrease_working_memory.pdf