Pre-stimulus neural dynamics predict TMS responses: The role of fractal dimension and oscillatory activity

Our findings are consistent with the brain criticality framework highlighting how shifts in pre-stimulus TEP dynamics influence cortical responsiveness. Reduced gamma power and fractal dimension were associated with stronger TEP amplitudes, suggesting that states closer to order optimize responsiveness-conversely, higher gamma power and increased HFD, indicative of chaotic neuronal dynamics, dampened perturbation responses. The opposite effect of alpha power highlights the frequency-specific nuances of criticality, where inhibitory mechanisms may fine-tune responsiveness.