The Brain Electrophysiological recording & STimulation (BEST) toolbox

Brain Stimul. 2022 Jan-Feb;15(1):109-115. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.11.017. Epub 2021 Nov 23.

Abstract

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) experiments involve many recurring procedures that are not sufficiently standardized in the community. Given the diversity in experimental design and experience of the investigators, automated but yet flexible data collection and analysis tools are needed to increase objectivity, reliability, and reproducibility of NIBS experiments. The Brain Electrophysiological recording and STimulation (BEST) Toolbox is a MATLAB-based, open-source software with graphical user interface that allows users to design, run, and share freely configurable multi-protocol, multi-session NIBS studies, including transcranial magnetic, electric, and ultrasound stimulation (TMS, tES, TUS). Interfacing with a variety of recording and stimulation devices, the BEST toolbox analyzes EMG and EEG data, and configures stimulation parameters on-the-fly to facilitate closed-loop protocols and real-time applications. Its functionality is continuously expanded and includes e.g., TMS motor hotspot search, threshold estimation, motor evoked potential (MEP) and TMS-evoked EEG potential (TEP) measurements, dose-response curves, paired-pulse and dual-coil TMS, rTMS interventions.

Keywords: Automation; Brain state-dependent stimulation; Brain stimulation; Closed-loop; EEG; EMG; MEP; Real-time; TEP; TMS; TMS-EEG; TUS; fMRI; tES.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiology
  • Electroencephalography* / methods
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation* / methods