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EVALUATION OF NEUROMODULATION USING MRI 45

be useful as an adjunct for individuals with poly- motor cortex ameliorates chronic pain and
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enhance quality of life. However, future studies will 4. Bestmann, S; Ruff, C. C.; Blankenburg, F.;
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MRI technologies have been successfully deployed causal interregional influences with concurrent
in the research setting and demonstrate a number TMS-fMRI. Exp. Brain Res. 191(4):383-402; 2008.
of significant findings supporting the efficacy of 5. Bikson, M.; Inoue, M.; Akiyama, H.; Deans, J.
neuromodulation and are likely to be key to under- K.; Fox, J. E.; Miyakawa, H.; Jefferys, J. G. Effects
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effects of neuromodulation. These studies demon- 6. Boggio, P. S.; Ferrucci, R.; Rigonatti, S. P.; Covre,
strate improved white matter integrity measures and P.; Nitsche, M.; Pascual-Leone, A.; Fregni,
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lated. Volumetric and/or shape studies using MRI ulation on working memory in patients with
technologies have not been utilized to examine the Parkinson’s disease. J. Neurol. Sci. 249(1):31-38;
effects of neuromodulation, but such studies may 2006.
represent an area of new research that can be explored. 7. Boggio, P. S.; Rigonatti, S. P.; Ribeiro, R. B.;
Regardless, it is clear that research using volumet- Myczkowski, M. L.; Nitsche, M. A.; Pascual-
ric, diffusion, and functional imaging methods has Leone, A.; Fregni, F. A randomized, double-blind
demonstrated the ability of MRI technology to cap- clinical trial on the efficacy of cortical direct
ture changes in the cortical and subcortical white/ current stimulation for the treatment of major
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and shape changes in response to training paradigms Mecca, T.; Pascual-Leone, A.; Basaglia, A.; Fregni,
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dicting functional improvements or outcomes across nial DC stimulation reduces alcohol craving:
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