Convergence of brain mapping tools: neuronavigated TMS parameters of BOLD fMRI responses in the motor hand area

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are frequently used as brain mapping tools to investigate the motor system. While fMRI allows non-invasive investigations of motor system properties for different kind of motor tasks, TMS provides insights into the electrophysiological properties of the motor cortex and its interactions with other motor areas. However, data on the relationship between both methods are scarce. In this study we investigated the electrophysiological properties of the motor hand area activated in a hand movement task using functional…