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Herzog R, Bolte C, Radecke JO, von Möller K, Lencer R, Tzvi E, Münchau A, Bäumer T, Weissbach A. Neuronavigated Cerebellar 50 Hz tACS: Attenuation of Stimulation Effects by Motor Sequence Learning. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2218. [PMID: 37626715 PMCID: PMC10452137 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is an emerging non-invasive technique that induces electric fields to modulate cerebellar function. Although the effect of cortical tACS seems to be state-dependent, the impact of concurrent motor activation and the duration of stimulation on the effects of cerebellar tACS has not yet been examined. In our study, 20 healthy subjects received neuronavigated 50 Hz cerebellar tACS for 40 s or 20 min, each during performance using a motor sequence learning task (MSL) and at rest. We measured the motor evoked potential (MEP) before and at two time points after tACS application to assess corticospinal excitability. Additionally, we investigated the online effect of tACS on MSL. Individual electric field simulations were computed to evaluate the distribution of electric fields, showing a focal electric field in the right cerebellar hemisphere with the highest intensities in lobe VIIb, VIII and IX. Corticospinal excitability was only increased after tACS was applied for 40 s or 20 min at rest, and motor activation during tACS (MSL) cancelled this effect. In addition, performance was better (shorter reaction times) for the learned sequences after 20 min of tACS, indicating more pronounced learning under 20 min of tACS compared to tACS applied only in the first 40 s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Herzog
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; (R.H.); (C.B.)
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christina Bolte
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; (R.H.); (C.B.)
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jan-Ole Radecke
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kathinka von Möller
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; (R.H.); (C.B.)
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Rebekka Lencer
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Elinor Tzvi
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Syte Institute, Hohe Bleichen 8, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Münchau
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; (R.H.); (C.B.)
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tobias Bäumer
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; (R.H.); (C.B.)
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anne Weissbach
- Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; (R.H.); (C.B.)
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
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Nissim NR, McAfee DC, Edwards S, Prato A, Lin JX, Lu Z, Coslett HB, Hamilton RH. Efficacy of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in the Enhancement of Working Memory Performance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Meta-Analysis. Neuromodulation 2023; 26:728-737. [PMID: 36759231 PMCID: PMC10257732 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)-a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that modulates cortical oscillations in the brain-has shown the capacity to enhance working memory (WM) abilities in healthy individuals. The efficacy of tACS in the improvement of WM performance in healthy individuals is not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of tACS in the enhancement of WM in healthy individuals and to assess moderators of response to stimulation. We hypothesized that active tACS would significantly enhance WM compared with sham. We further hypothesized that it would do so in a task-dependent manner and that differing stimulation parameters would affect response to tACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten tACS studies met the inclusion criteria and provided 32 effects in the overall analysis. Random-effect models assessed mean change scores on WM tasks from baseline to poststimulation. The included studies involved varied in stimulation parameters, between-subject and within-subject study designs, and online vs offline tACS. RESULTS We observed a significant, heterogeneous, and moderate effect size for active tACS in the enhancement of WM performance over sham (Cohen's d = 0.5). Cognitive load, task domain, session number, and stimulation region showed a significant relationship between active tACS and enhanced WM behavior over sham. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that active tACS enhances WM performance in healthy individuals compared with sham. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to further explore key parameters, including personalized stimulation vs standardized electroencephalography frequencies and maintenance of tACS effects, and whether tACS-induced effects translate to populations with WM impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R Nissim
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Einstein Medical Center, Elkins Park, PA, USA.
| | - Darrian C McAfee
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shanna Edwards
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amara Prato
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer X Lin
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhiye Lu
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - H Branch Coslett
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Einstein Medical Center, Elkins Park, PA, USA
| | - Roy H Hamilton
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Einstein Medical Center, Elkins Park, PA, USA
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Nissim NR, Pham DVH, Poddar T, Blutt E, Hamilton RH. The impact of gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on cognitive and memory processes in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease: A literature review. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:748-755. [PMID: 37028756 PMCID: PMC10862495 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)-a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that modulates cortical oscillations through entrainment-has been demonstrated to alter oscillatory activity and enhance cognition in healthy adults. TACS is being explored as a tool to improve cognition and memory in patient populations with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE To review the growing body of literature and current findings obtained from the application of tACS in patients with MCI or AD, highlighting the effects of gamma tACS on brain function, memory, and cognition. Evidence on the use of brain stimulation in animal models of AD is also discussed. Important parameters of stimulation are underscored for consideration in protocols that aim to apply tACS as a therapeutic tool in patients with MCI/AD. FINDINGS The application of gamma tACS has shown promising results in the improvement of cognitive and memory processes that are impacted in patients with MCI/AD. These data demonstrate the potential for tACS as an interventional stand-alone tool or alongside pharmacological and/or other behavioral interventions in MCI/AD. CONCLUSIONS While the use of tACS in MCI/AD has evidenced encouraging results, the effects of this stimulation technique on brain function and pathophysiology in MCI/AD remains to be fully determined. This review explores the literature and highlights the need for continued research on tACS as a tool to alter the course of the disease by reinstating oscillatory activity, improving cognitive and memory processing, delaying disease progression, and remediating cognitive abilities in patients with MCI/AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Nissim
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA; Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Einstein Medical Center, Elkins Park, PA, USA.
| | - D V H Pham
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - T Poddar
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - E Blutt
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - R H Hamilton
- Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA; Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Einstein Medical Center, Elkins Park, PA, USA.
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Chen R, Berardelli A, Bhattacharya A, Bologna M, Chen KHS, Fasano A, Helmich RC, Hutchison WD, Kamble N, Kühn AA, Macerollo A, Neumann WJ, Pal PK, Paparella G, Suppa A, Udupa K. Clinical neurophysiology of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2022; 7:201-227. [PMID: 35899019 PMCID: PMC9309229 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This review is part of the series on the clinical neurophysiology of movement disorders and focuses on Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism. The pathophysiology of cardinal parkinsonian motor symptoms and myoclonus are reviewed. The recordings from microelectrode and deep brain stimulation electrodes are reported in detail.
This review is part of the series on the clinical neurophysiology of movement disorders. It focuses on Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism. The topics covered include the pathophysiology of tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia, balance and gait disturbance and myoclonus in Parkinson’s disease. The use of electroencephalography, electromyography, long latency reflexes, cutaneous silent period, studies of cortical excitability with single and paired transcranial magnetic stimulation, studies of plasticity, intraoperative microelectrode recordings and recording of local field potentials from deep brain stimulation, and electrocorticography are also reviewed. In addition to advancing knowledge of pathophysiology, neurophysiological studies can be useful in refining the diagnosis, localization of surgical targets, and help to develop novel therapies for Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Chen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Matteo Bologna
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Kai-Hsiang Stanley Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Alfonso Fasano
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rick C Helmich
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Neurology and Centre of Expertise for Parkinson & Movement Disorders, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - William D Hutchison
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Departments of Surgery and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nitish Kamble
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Andrea A Kühn
- Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonella Macerollo
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.,The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Wolf-Julian Neumann
- Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Pramod Kumar Pal
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | | | - Antonio Suppa
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Kaviraja Udupa
- Department of Neurophysiology National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
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5
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Benussi A, Cantoni V, Grassi M, Brechet L, Michel CM, Datta A, Thomas C, Gazzina S, Cotelli MS, Bianchi M, Premi E, Gadola Y, Cotelli M, Pengo M, Perrone F, Scolaro M, Archetti S, Solje E, Padovani A, Pascual-Leone A, Borroni B. Increasing brain gamma activity improves episodic memory and restores cholinergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol 2022; 92:322-334. [PMID: 35607946 PMCID: PMC9546168 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether non-invasive brain stimulation with transcranial alternating current stimulation at gamma-frequency (γ-tACS) applied over the precuneus can improve episodic memory and modulate cholinergic transmission by modulating cerebral rhythms in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, sham controlled, crossover study, 60 AD patients underwent a clinical and neurophysiological evaluation including assessment of episodic memory and cholinergic transmission pre- and post- 60 minutes treatment with γ-tACS targeting the precuneus or sham tACS. In a subset of 10 patients, EEG analysis and individualized modelling of electric field distribution were carried out. Predictors to γ-tACS efficacy were evaluated. RESULTS We observed a significant improvement in the Rey auditory verbal learning (RAVL) test immediate recall (p<0.001) and delayed recall scores (p<0.001) after γ-tACS but not after sham tACS. Face-name associations scores improved with γ-tACS (p<0.001) but not after sham tACS. Short latency afferent inhibition, an indirect measure of cholinergic transmission, increased only after γ-tACS (p<0.001). ApoE genotype and baseline cognitive impairment were the best predictors of response to γ-tACS. Clinical improvement correlated with the increase in gamma frequencies in posterior regions and with the amount of predicted electric field distribution in the precuneus. INTERPRETATION Precuneus γ-tACS, able to increase γ-power activity on the posterior brain regions, showed a significant improvement of episodic memory performances, along with restoration of intracortical excitability measures of cholinergic transmission. Response to γ-tACS was dependent on genetic factors and disease stage. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Cantoni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Medical and Genomic Statistics Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lucie Brechet
- Functional Brain Mapping Laboratory, Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christoph M Michel
- Functional Brain Mapping Laboratory, Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Abhishek Datta
- Research & Development, Soterix Medical, Inc., New York, USA
| | - Chris Thomas
- Research & Development, Soterix Medical, Inc., New York, USA
| | - Stefano Gazzina
- Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Marta Bianchi
- Neurology Unit, Valle Camonica Hospital, Esine, Brescia, Italy
| | - Enrico Premi
- Stroke Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Yasmine Gadola
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Cotelli
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia
| | - Marta Pengo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Perrone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Scolaro
- Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvana Archetti
- Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Diagnostic Department, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuro center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA.,Guttmann Brain Health Institut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
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Janssens SEW, Sack AT. Spontaneous Fluctuations in Oscillatory Brain State Cause Differences in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effects Within and Between Individuals. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:802244. [PMID: 34924982 PMCID: PMC8674306 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.802244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can cause measurable effects on neural activity and behavioral performance in healthy volunteers. In addition, TMS is increasingly used in clinical practice for treating various neuropsychiatric disorders. Unfortunately, TMS-induced effects show large intra- and inter-subject variability, hindering its reliability, and efficacy. One possible source of this variability may be the spontaneous fluctuations of neuronal oscillations. We present recent studies using multimodal TMS including TMS-EMG (electromyography), TMS-tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation), and concurrent TMS-EEG-fMRI (electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging), to evaluate how individual oscillatory brain state affects TMS signal propagation within targeted networks. We demonstrate how the spontaneous oscillatory state at the time of TMS influences both immediate and longer-lasting TMS effects. These findings indicate that at least part of the variability in TMS efficacy may be attributable to the current practice of ignoring (spontaneous) oscillatory fluctuations during TMS. Ignoring this state-dependent spread of activity may cause great individual variability which so far is poorly understood and has proven impossible to control. We therefore also compare two technical solutions to directly account for oscillatory state during TMS, namely, to use (a) tACS to externally control these oscillatory states and then apply TMS at the optimal (controlled) brain state, or (b) oscillatory state-triggered TMS (closed-loop TMS). The described multimodal TMS approaches are paramount for establishing more robust TMS effects, and to allow enhanced control over the individual outcome of TMS interventions aimed at modulating information flow in the brain to achieve desirable changes in cognition, mood, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanice E. W. Janssens
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Alexander T. Sack
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Brain + Nerve Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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7
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Sasaki R, Kojima S, Onishi H. Do Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Genetic Polymorphisms Modulate the Efficacy of Motor Cortex Plasticity Induced by Non-invasive Brain Stimulation? A Systematic Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:742373. [PMID: 34650418 PMCID: PMC8505675 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.742373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Techniques of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) of the human primary motor cortex (M1) are widely used in basic and clinical research to induce neural plasticity. The induction of neural plasticity in the M1 may improve motor performance ability in healthy individuals and patients with motor deficit caused by brain disorders. However, several recent studies revealed that various NIBS techniques yield high interindividual variability in the response, and that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotype (i.e., Val/Val and Met carrier types) may be a factor contributing to this variability. Here, we conducted a systematic review of all published studies that investigated the effects of the BDNF genotype on various forms of NIBS techniques applied to the human M1. The motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes elicited by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which can evaluate M1 excitability, were investigated as the main outcome. A total of 1,827 articles were identified, of which 17 (facilitatory NIBS protocol, 27 data) and 10 (inhibitory NIBS protocol, 14 data) were included in this review. More than two-thirds of the data (70.4–78.6%) on both NIBS protocols did not show a significant genotype effect of NIBS on MEP changes. Conversely, most of the remaining data revealed that the Val/Val type is likely to yield a greater MEP response after NIBS than the Met carrier type in both NIBS protocols (21.4–25.9%). Finally, to aid future investigation, we discuss the potential effect of the BDNF genotype based on mechanisms and methodological issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoki Sasaki
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sho Kojima
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
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8
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Guerra A, Colella D, Giangrosso M, Cannavacciuolo A, Paparella G, Fabbrini G, Suppa A, Berardelli A, Bologna M. Driving motor cortex oscillations modulates bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease. Brain 2021; 145:224-236. [PMID: 34245244 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, beta (β) and gamma (γ) oscillations are altered in the basal ganglia, and this abnormality contributes to the pathophysiology of bradykinesia. However, it is unclear whether β and γ rhythms at the primary motor cortex (M1) level influence bradykinesia. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can modulate cortical rhythms by entraining endogenous oscillations. We tested whether β- and γ-tACS on M1 modulate bradykinesia in PD patients by analyzing the kinematic features of repetitive finger tapping, including movement amplitude, velocity, and sequence effect, recorded during β-, γ-, and sham tACS. We also verified whether possible tACS-induced bradykinesia changes depended on modifications in specific M1 circuits, as assessed by short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI). Patients were studied OFF and ON dopaminergic therapy. Results were compared to those obtained in a group of healthy subjects (HS). In patients, movement velocity significantly worsened during β-tACS and movement amplitude improved during γ-tACS, while the sequence effect did not change. In addition, SAI decreased (reduced inhibition) during β-tACS and SICI decreased during both γ- and β-tACS in PD. The effects of tACS were comparable between OFF and ON sessions. In patients OFF therapy, the degree of SICI modulation during β- and γ-tACS correlated with movement velocity and amplitude changes. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the effect of γ-tACS on movement amplitude and motor symptoms severity. Our results show that cortical β and γ oscillations are relevant in the pathophysiology of bradykinesia in PD and that changes in inhibitory GABA-A-ergic interneuronal activity may reflect compensatory M1 mechanisms to counteract bradykinesia. In conclusion, abnormal oscillations at the M1 level of the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network play a relevant role in the pathophysiology of bradykinesia in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donato Colella
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giovanni Fabbrini
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Suppa
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Bologna
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.,Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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Orendáčová M, Kvašňák E. Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Neurofeedback on Alpha (EEG) Dynamics: A Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:628229. [PMID: 34305549 PMCID: PMC8297546 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.628229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and neurofeedback (NFB) are two different types of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, which can modulate brain activity and improve brain functioning. In this review, we compared the current state of knowledge related to the mechanisms of tACS and NFB and their effects on electroencephalogram (EEG) activity (online period/stimulation period) and on aftereffects (offline period/post/stimulation period), including the duration of their persistence and potential behavioral benefits. Since alpha bandwidth has been broadly studied in NFB and in tACS research, the studies of NFB and tACS in modulating alpha bandwidth were selected for comparing the online and offline effects of these two neuromodulation techniques. The factors responsible for variability in the responsiveness of the modulated EEG activity by tACS and NFB were analyzed and compared too. Based on the current literature related to tACS and NFB, it can be concluded that tACS and NFB differ a lot in the mechanisms responsible for their effects on an online EEG activity but they possibly share the common universal mechanisms responsible for the induction of aftereffects in the targeted stimulated EEG band, namely Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity. Many studies of both neuromodulation techniques report the aftereffects connected to the behavioral benefits. The duration of persistence of aftereffects for NFB and tACS is comparable. In relation to the factors influencing responsiveness to tACS and NFB, significantly more types of factors were analyzed in the NFB studies compared to the tACS studies. Several common factors for both tACS and NFB have been already investigated. Based on these outcomes, we propose several new research directions regarding tACS and NFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Orendáčová
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Medical Informatics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
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Guerra A, Rocchi L, Grego A, Berardi F, Luisi C, Ferreri F. Contribution of TMS and TMS-EEG to the Understanding of Mechanisms Underlying Physiological Brain Aging. Brain Sci 2021; 11:405. [PMID: 33810206 PMCID: PMC8004753 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the human brain, aging is characterized by progressive neuronal loss, leading to disruption of synapses and to a degree of failure in neurotransmission. However, there is increasing evidence to support the notion that the aged brain has a remarkable ability to reorganize itself, with the aim of preserving its physiological activity. It is important to develop objective markers able to characterize the biological processes underlying brain aging in the intact human, and to distinguish them from brain degeneration associated with many neurological diseases. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), coupled with electromyography or electroencephalography (EEG), is particularly suited to this aim, due to the functional nature of the information provided, and thanks to the ease with which it can be integrated with behavioral manipulation. In this review, we aimed to provide up to date information about the role of TMS and TMS-EEG in the investigation of brain aging. In particular, we focused on data about cortical excitability, connectivity and plasticity, obtained by using readouts such as motor evoked potentials and transcranial evoked potentials. Overall, findings in the literature support an important potential contribution of TMS to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying normal brain aging. Further studies are needed to expand the current body of information and to assess the applicability of TMS findings in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Clinical and Movements Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Grego
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Francesca Berardi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Concetta Luisi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Florinda Ferreri
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.G.); (F.B.); (C.L.)
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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Guerra A, Asci F, Zampogna A, D'Onofrio V, Berardelli A, Suppa A. The effect of gamma oscillations in boosting primary motor cortex plasticity is greater in young than older adults. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:1358-1366. [PMID: 33781703 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In healthy subjects, the long-term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity of the primary motor cortex (M1) induced by intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) can be boosted by modulating gamma (γ) oscillations through transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). γ-tACS also reduces short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI). We tested whether the effects of γ-tACS differ between young (YA) and older adults (OA). METHODS Twenty YA (27.2 ± 2.7 years) and twenty OA (65.3 ± 9.5 years) underwent iTBS-γ tACS and iTBS-sham tACS in randomized sessions. In a separate session, we delivered γ-tACS alone and recorded SICI during stimulation. RESULTS iTBS-sham tACS produced comparable motor evoked potential (MEP) facilitation between groups. While iTBS-γ tACS boosted MEP facilitation in both the YA and OA groups, the magnitude of its effect was significantly lower in OA. Similarly, γ-tACS-induced modulation of GABA-A-ergic neurotransmission, as tested by SICI, was reduced in OA. The effect of iTBS-γ tACS negatively correlated with the age of OA subjects. CONCLUSIONS Mechanisms underlying the effects of γ oscillations on LTP-like plasticity become less efficient in older adults. This could reflect age-related changes in neural elements of M1 resonant to γ oscillations, including GABA-A-ergic interneurons. SIGNIFICANCE The beneficial effect of γ-tACS on iTBS-induced plasticity is reduced in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Guerra
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Francesco Asci
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zampogna
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Onofrio
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy; Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Suppa
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy; Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Goldsworthy MR, Hordacre B, Rothwell JC, Ridding MC. Effects of rTMS on the brain: is there value in variability? Cortex 2021; 139:43-59. [PMID: 33827037 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The ability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to non-invasively induce neuroplasticity in the human cortex has opened exciting possibilities for its application in both basic and clinical research. Changes in the amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation has so far provided a convenient model for exploring the neurophysiology of rTMS effects on the brain, influencing the ways in which these stimulation protocols have been applied therapeutically. However, a growing number of studies have reported large inter-individual variability in the mean MEP response to rTMS, raising legitimate questions about the usefulness of this model for guiding therapy. Although the increasing application of different neuroimaging approaches has made it possible to probe rTMS-induced neuroplasticity outside the motor cortex to measure changes in neural activity that impact other aspects of human behaviour, the high variability of rTMS effects on these measurements remains an important issue for the field to address. In this review, we seek to move away from the conventional facilitation/inhibition dichotomy that permeates much of the rTMS literature, presenting a non-standard approach for measuring rTMS-induced neuroplasticity. We consider the evidence that rTMS is able to modulate an individual's moment-to-moment variability of neural activity, and whether this could have implications for guiding the therapeutic application of rTMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell R Goldsworthy
- Lifespan Human Neurophysiology Group, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Brenton Hordacre
- Innovation, IMPlementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael C Ridding
- Innovation, IMPlementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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