Abstract: Transcranial magnetic stimulation is interleaved with functional brain imaging to examine cortex sensitivity and brain communication and to determine efficacy of medication.

Abstract: Functional brain imaging is used to determine the regions of a brain an individual uses to lie or deceive, and then the TMS is applied to that region of the brain while the individual, is, e.g., attempting to respond to a question. If the person is attempting to deceive, TMS will temporarily inhibit operation of this part of the brain during this attempted deception, and the individual will be unable to deceive.

Abstract: A self-contained hardware/software system has been designed to provide anatomy-referenced positioning of a probe or sensor, such as a TMS coil, with respect to a subject. The system may be used in interleaved TMS/fMRI studies of brain circuitry. The system allows the TMS coil to be positioned with millimeter accuracy based on anatomical target locations selected in an MR volume of a subject's brain acquired at the beginning of the interleaved TMS/fMRI study. The TMS coil may then be held in that position during subsequent scans.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to enhance cognitive performance of at least one subject. At least one neural circuit is located in the brain of the subject, which is activated when the subject performs a predetermined task. Functional magnetic resonance imaging maps may be used to scan and generate maps of the interested neural circuits so as to locate proper neural circuits responsible for a predetermined task. An electromagnetic coil is positioned over a region on the scalp of the subject corresponding to the at least one neural circuit in the brain of the subject. A transcranial magnetic stimulation is delivered from the coil to the region on the scalp of the subject to induce current to flow in the brain that causes neuronal depolarization in the brain and effectuates a change in the performance of the predetermined task by the subject.

Abstract: Effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on, for example, regions of the brain, are determined by synchronizing application of the VNS with functional magnetic resolution imaging (fMRI) scanning (FIG. 1). Parameters of the VNS application may be optimized using the fMRI images. Optimal dosage and protocols for the VNS application may be set based on the determined effects of VNS application on regional brain activity. Also, a blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response of one or more brain regions to VNS application may be determined based on the fMRI images. VNS may also be used to treat neuropsychiatric diseases by mapping effects or VNS application on brain regions u) regional effects or the neuropsychiatric disease. The change in effects of VNS application on the patient with continued use may be assessed based on long-term and repeated studies of effects of VNS application.

Abstract: Methods for determining whether the brain activity of a human subject in response to a stimulus of interest or question of interest is characteristic of a state of interest, such as a deceptive state or a truthful state, are disclosed. Some methods include the use of control questions, including truthful control questions and deceptive control questions, to provide bases for comparison for responses to stimuli of interest or questions of interest. In some methods, brain maps are generated and compared. Also disclosed are systems for detecting deception by measuring brain activity.