Increased variability of paced finger tapping accuracy following repetitive magnetic stimulation of the cerebellum in humans

Imaging and lesion studies suggest that the cerebellum is involved in the self-generation of timed motor responses. Using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), we studied the effects of transient disruption of the lateral or medial cerebellum on a paced-finger-tapping task (PFT). Results show greater variability on the PFT task following a 5 min train of 1 Hz rTMS to the medial cerebellum. Magnetic stimulation of the lateral cerebellum or motor cortex, and sham stimulation, had no effect on performance. Expanding the results of neuroimaging studies, these data show the causal link between activity in the medial cerebellum and the production of timed movements. This is the first demonstration of the feasibility of transiently disrupting the cerebellum by rTMS and inducing behavioral effects. This method of 'virtual lesions' can expand the study of the role of the cerebellum in motor control and cognition. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.