PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Marcus T Wilson AU - Bahar Moezzi AU - Nigel C Rogasch TI - Modeling motor-evoked potentials from neural field simulations of transcranial magnetic stimulation AID - 10.1101/847830 DP - 2020 Jan 01 TA - bioRxiv PG - 847830 4099 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/10/16/847830.short 4100 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/10/16/847830.full AB - Objective To develop a population-based biophysical model of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) following transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).Methods We combined an existing MEP model with population-based cortical modeling. Layer 2/3 excitatory and inhibitory neural populations, modeled with neural-field theory, are stimulated with TMS and feed layer 5 corticospinal neurons, which also couple directly but weakly to the TMS pulse. The layer 5 output controls mean motoneuron responses, which generate a series of single motor-unit action potentials that are summed to estimate a MEP.Results A MEP waveform was generated comparable to those observed experimentally. The model captured TMS phenomena including a sigmoidal input-output curve, common paired pulse effects (short interval intracortical inhibition, intracortical facilitation, long interval intracortical inhibition) including responses to pharmacological interventions, and a cortical silent period. Changes in MEP amplitude following theta burst paradigms were observed including variability in outcome direction.Conclusions The model reproduces effects seen in common TMS paradigms.Significance The model allows population-based modeling of changes in cortical dynamics due to TMS protocols to be assessed in terms of changes in MEPs, thus allowing a clear comparison between population-based modeling predictions and typical experimental outcome measures.HighlightsA model of motor-evoked potential formation gives a realistic electromyogram in response to TMS.The model reproduces effects of SICI, ICF and LICI.A link between existing neural field modeling and realistic outcome measures of TMS is provided.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.