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Douton JE, Carelli RM. Unraveling Sex Differences in Affect Processing: Unique Oscillatory Signaling Dynamics in the Infralimbic Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens Shell. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:354-362. [PMID: 38298775 PMCID: PMC10829636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Negative affect is prevalent in psychiatric diseases such as depression and addiction. Projections from the infralimbic cortex (IL) to the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) are causally linked to learned negative affect as 20 Hz optogenetic stimulation of this circuit reduces conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in male but not female rats. However, the prior study did not provide insight into how innate versus learned negative affect are processed in these areas across sex. Methods To address this issue, local field potential activity was simultaneously recorded in the IL and NAcSh in response to intraoral infusion of rewarding (saccharin) and aversive (quinine) tastants and following induction of a CTA in male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Results Local field potential oscillatory activity within each brain region to saccharin varied across sex. In males, CTA increased IL resting-state power, which was correlated with the strength of the learned aversion, and reduced beta power and IL-NAcSh coherence. In females, CTA increased gamma power in the NAcSh. Similar effects were observed in males and females after CTA in theta-low gamma phase-amplitude coupling. Finally, while quinine produced similar effects in oscillatory power across sex, females showed differences in phase-amplitude coupling within the NAcSh that may be linked to aversion resistance. Conclusions We revealed sex-specific hedonic processing in the IL and NAcSh and how oscillatory signaling is disrupted in learned negative affect, revealing translationally relevant insight into potential treatment strategies that can help to reduce the deleterious effects of learned negative affect in psychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin E. Douton
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Regina M. Carelli
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Cole WR, Tegeler CL, Choi YS, Harris TE, Rachels N, Bellini PG, Haight TJ, Gerdes L, Tegeler CH, Roy MJ. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of acoustic stimulation to reduce postconcussive symptoms. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:105-120. [PMID: 37990636 PMCID: PMC10791035 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Effective interventions are needed to address postconcussive symptoms. We report the results of randomized, sham-controlled trial of Cereset Research™ Standard Operating Procedures (CR-SOP), a noninvasive, closed-loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology previously shown to improve insomnia. METHODS Military service members, veterans, or their spouses with persistent symptoms (Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory [NSI] Score ≥23) after mTBI 3 months to 10 years ago, were randomized to receive 10 sessions of engineered tones linked to brainwaves (LB, intervention), or random engineered tones not linked to brainwaves (NL, sham control). The primary outcome was change in NSI, with secondary outcomes of heart rate variability and self-report measures of sleep, mood, and anxiety. RESULTS Participants (n = 106, 22% female, mean age 37.1, 2.8 deployments, 3.8 TBIs) were randomized 1:1 to LB or NL, with no significant differences between groups at baseline. Among all study participants, the NSI declined from baseline 41.0 to 27.2 after (P < 0.0001), with gains largely sustained at 3 months (31.2) and 6 months (28.4). However, there were no significant differences between the LB (NSI declined from 39.9 at baseline to 28.2 post-intervention, 31.5 at 3 months, and 29.4 at 6 months) and NL (NSI declined from 41.5 at baseline to 26.2, 29.9, and 27.3, respectively. Similar patterns were observed for the PCL5 and PHQ-9 and there was no difference in HRV between groups. INTERPRETATION Ten hours of acoustic stimulation while resting in a zero-gravity chair improves postconcussive symptoms. However, linking tones to brain electrical activity did not reduce symptoms more than random tones. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT03649958.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley R. Cole
- University of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Y. Sammy Choi
- Womack Army Medical CenterFort BraggNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Nora Rachels
- Womack Army Medical CenterFort BraggNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Paula G. Bellini
- Uniformed Services UniversityBethesdaMarylandUSA
- Henry M. Jackson FoundationRockvilleMarylandUSA
| | - Thaddeus J. Haight
- Uniformed Services UniversityBethesdaMarylandUSA
- Henry M. Jackson FoundationRockvilleMarylandUSA
| | - Lee Gerdes
- Brain State Technologies, LLCScottsdaleArizonaUSA
| | | | - Michael J. Roy
- Uniformed Services UniversityBethesdaMarylandUSA
- Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterBethesdaMarylandUSA
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3
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Zhang R, Ren J, Zhang C. Efficacy of transcranial alternating current stimulation for schizophrenia treatment: A systematic review. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 168:52-63. [PMID: 37897837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is an innovative noninvasive technique in brain stimulation that involves applying a low-intensity electrical current to the scalp. And increasing evidence has revealed its potential in schizophrenia treatment. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tACS as a novel neurostimulation technique for improving cognitive impairment and alleviating psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. Additionally, this review attempted to explore the impact of stimulation parameters on the effectiveness of tACS treatment. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted across five databases, including Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, CENTRAL, and PsycINFO, to identify studies investigating the use of tACS in schizophrenia. Only studies that involved the experimental use of tACS in patients with schizophrenia were included in this review. RESULTS Nineteen studies were included in this review. The most frequently used current intensities were 2 mA and 1 mA, and the most commonly used frequencies were alpha (10 Hz), theta (4.5 Hz and 6 Hz), and gamma (40 Hz). Some studies showed that tACS may have a potential therapeutic effect by improving cognitive functions in various cognitive domains and/or ameliorating negative symptoms, hallucinations, and delusions in patients with schizophrenia, while others showed no significant change. These studies also implicated that tACS treatment is safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this systematic review suggests that tACS has promise as a novel, effective, and adjunctive treatment approach for treating schizophrenia. Future research is needed to determine the optimal parameters of tACS for treating this complex disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Juanjuan Ren
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chen Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Joshi R, Murali S, Thirugnanasambandam N. Behavioral Validation of Individualized Low-Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) Protocols. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0374-22.2023. [PMID: 38135512 PMCID: PMC10748339 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0374-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Large interindividual variability in the effects of low-intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) considerably limits its potential for clinical applications. It has been recently proposed that individualizing stimulation dose by accounting for interindividual anatomic differences would reduce the variability in electric fields (E-fields) over the targeted cortical site and therefore produce more consistent behavioral outcomes. However, improvement in behavioral outcomes following individualized dose tES has never been compared with that of conventional fixed dose tES. In this study, we aimed to empirically evaluate the effect of individualized dose tES on behavior and further compare it with the effects of sham and fixed dose stimulations. We conducted a single-blinded, sham-controlled, repeated-measures study to examine the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on motor learning and that of transcranial alternating current stimulation on the working memory of 42 healthy adult individuals. Each participant underwent three sessions of tES, receiving fixed dose, individualized dose, or sham stimulation over the targeted brain region for the entire behavioral task. Our results showed that the individualized dose reduced the variability in E-fields at the targeted cortical surfaces. However, there was no significant effect of tES on behavioral outcomes. We argue that although the stimulation dose and E-field intensity at the targeted cortical site are linearly correlated, the effect of E-fields on behavior seems to be more complex. Effective optimization of tES protocols warrants further research considering both neuroanatomical and functional aspects of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Joshi
- National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar 122 052, India
- Human Motor Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Sainath Murali
- National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar 122 052, India
- Human Motor Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Nivethida Thirugnanasambandam
- National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar 122 052, India
- Human Motor Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai Mumbai 400076, India
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Sun Y, Shen A, Du C, Sun J, Chen X, Gao X. A Real-Time Non-Implantation Bi-Directional Brain-Computer Interface Solution Without Stimulation Artifacts. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2023; 31:3566-3575. [PMID: 37665696 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2023.3311750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The non-implantation bi-directional brain-computer interface (BCI) is a neural interface technology that enables direct two-way communication between the brain and the external world by both "reading" neural signals and "writing" stimulation patterns to the brain. This technology has vast potential applications, such as improving the quality of life for individuals with neurological and mental illnesses and even expanding the boundaries of human capabilities. Nonetheless, non-implantation bi-directional BCIs face challenges in generating real-time feedback and achieving compatibility between stimulation and recording. These issues arise due to the considerable overlap between electrical stimulation frequencies and electrophysiological recording frequencies, as well as the impediment caused by the skull to the interaction of external and internal currents. To address those challenges, this work proposes a novel solution that combines the temporal interference stimulation paradigm and minimally invasive skull modification. A longitudinal animal experiment has preliminarily validated the feasibility of the proposed method. In signal recording experiments, the average impedance of our scheme decreased by 4.59 kΩ , about 67%, compared to the conventional technique at 18 points. The peak-to-peak value of the Somatosensory Evoked Potential increased by 8%. Meanwhile, the signal-to-noise ratio of Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential increased by 5.13 dB, and its classification accuracy increased by 44%. The maximum bandwidth of the resting state rose by 63%. In electrical stimulation experiments, the signal-to-noise ratio of the low-frequency response evoked by our scheme rose by 8.04 dB, and no stimulation artifacts were generated. The experimental results show that signal quality in acquisition has significantly improved, and frequency-band isolation eliminates stimulation artifacts at the source. The acquisition and stimulation pathways are real-time compatible in this non-implantation bi-directional BCI solution, which can provide technical support and theoretical guidance for creating closed-loop adaptive systems coupled with particular application scenarios in the future.
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Potok W, van der Groen O, Sivachelvam S, Bächinger M, Fröhlich F, Kish LB, Wenderoth N. Contrast detection is enhanced by deterministic, high-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation with triangle and sine waveform. J Neurophysiol 2023; 130:458-473. [PMID: 37465880 PMCID: PMC10625838 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00465.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Stochastic resonance (SR) describes a phenomenon where an additive noise (stochastic carrier-wave) enhances the signal transmission in a nonlinear system. In the nervous system, nonlinear properties are present from the level of single ion channels all the way to perception and appear to support the emergence of SR. For example, SR has been repeatedly demonstrated for visual detection tasks, also by adding noise directly to cortical areas via transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS). When dealing with nonlinear physical systems, it has been suggested that resonance can be induced not only by adding stochastic signals (i.e., noise) but also by adding a large class of signals that are not stochastic in nature that cause "deterministic amplitude resonance" (DAR). Here, we mathematically show that high-frequency, deterministic, periodic signals can yield resonance-like effects with linear transfer and infinite signal-to-noise ratio at the output. We tested this prediction empirically and investigated whether nonrandom, high-frequency, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applied to the visual cortex could induce resonance-like effects and enhance the performance of a visual detection task. We demonstrated in 28 participants that applying 80-Hz triangular-waves or sine-waves with tACS reduced the visual contrast detection threshold for optimal brain stimulation intensities. The influence of tACS on contrast sensitivity was equally effective to tRNS-induced modulation, demonstrating that both tACS and tRNS can reduce contrast detection thresholds. Our findings suggest that a resonance-like mechanism can also emerge when deterministic electrical waveforms are applied via tACS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings extend our understanding of neuromodulation induced by noninvasive electrical stimulation. We provide the first evidence showing acute online benefits of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)triangle and tACSsine targeting the primary visual cortex (V1) on visual contrast detection in accordance with the resonance-like phenomenon. The "deterministic" tACS and "stochastic" high-frequency-transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) are equally effective in enhancing visual contrast detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Potok
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, University and Balgrist Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Onno van der Groen
- Neurorehabilitation and Robotics Laboratory, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sahana Sivachelvam
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bächinger
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, University and Balgrist Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavio Fröhlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Laszlo B Kish
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, University and Balgrist Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
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Lasagna CA, Grove TB, Semple E, Suzuki T, Menkes MW, Pamidighantam P, McInnis M, Deldin PJ, Tso IF. Reductions in regional theta power and fronto-parietal theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling during gaze processing in bipolar disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 331:111629. [PMID: 36966619 PMCID: PMC10567117 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Impaired social cognition is common in bipolar disorder (BD) and predicts poor functional outcomes. A critical determinant of social cognition is the ability to discriminate others' gaze direction, and its alteration may contribute to functional impairment in BD. However, the neural mechanisms underlying gaze processing in BD are unclear. Because neural oscillations are crucial neurobiological mechanisms supporting cognition, we aimed to understand their role in gaze processing in BD. Using electroencephalography (EEG) data recorded during a gaze discrimination task for 38 BD and 34 controls (HC), we examined: theta and gamma power over bilateral posterior and midline anterior locations associated with early face processing and higher-level cognitive processing, and theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between locations. Compared to HC, BD showed reduced midline-anterior and left-posterior theta power, and diminished bottom-up/top-down theta-gamma PAC between anterior/posterior sites. Reduced theta power and theta-gamma PAC related to slower response times. These findings suggest that altered theta oscillations and anterior-posterior cross-frequency coupling between areas associated with higher-level cognition and early face processing may underlie impaired gaze processing in BD. This is a crucial step towards translational research that may inform novel social cognitive interventions (e.g., neuromodulation to target specific oscillatory dynamics) to improve functioning in BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Lasagna
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States.
| | - Tyler B Grove
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Erin Semple
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Takakuni Suzuki
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Margo W Menkes
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Preetha Pamidighantam
- Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, United States
| | - Melvin McInnis
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Patricia J Deldin
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Ivy F Tso
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, United States
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8
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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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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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Wischnewski M, Alekseichuk I, Opitz A. Neurocognitive, physiological, and biophysical effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:189-205. [PMID: 36543610 PMCID: PMC9852081 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can modulate human neural activity and behavior. Accordingly, tACS has vast potential for cognitive research and brain disorder therapies. The stimulation generates oscillating electric fields in the brain that can bias neural spike timing, causing changes in local neural oscillatory power and cross-frequency and cross-area coherence. tACS affects cognitive performance by modulating underlying single or nested brain rhythms, local or distal synchronization, and metabolic activity. Clinically, stimulation tailored to abnormal neural oscillations shows promising results in alleviating psychiatric and neurological symptoms. We summarize the findings of tACS mechanisms, its use for cognitive applications, and novel developments for personalized stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles Wischnewski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ivan Alekseichuk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Alexander Opitz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Lee TL, Lee H, Kang N. A meta-analysis showing improved cognitive performance in healthy young adults with transcranial alternating current stimulation. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2023; 8:1. [PMID: 36593247 PMCID: PMC9807644 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-022-00152-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation used for improving cognitive functions via delivering weak electrical stimulation with a certain frequency. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of tACS protocols on cognitive functions in healthy young adults. We identified 56 qualified studies that compared cognitive functions between tACS and sham control groups, as indicated by cognitive performances and cognition-related reaction time. Moderator variable analyses specified effect size according to (a) timing of tACS, (b) frequency band of simulation, (c) targeted brain region, and (b) cognitive domain, respectively. Random-effects model meta-analysis revealed small positive effects of tACS protocols on cognitive performances. The moderator variable analyses found significant effects for online-tACS with theta frequency band, online-tACS with gamma frequency band, and offline-tACS with theta frequency band. Moreover, cognitive performances were improved in online- and offline-tACS with theta frequency band on either prefrontal and posterior parietal cortical regions, and further both online- and offline-tACS with theta frequency band enhanced executive function. Online-tACS with gamma frequency band on posterior parietal cortex was effective for improving cognitive performances, and the cognitive improvements appeared in executive function and perceptual-motor function. These findings suggested that tACS protocols with specific timing and frequency band may effectively improve cognitive performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Lee Lee
- Department of Human Movement Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
- Neuromechanical Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hanall Lee
- Department of Human Movement Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
- Neuromechanical Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Nyeonju Kang
- Department of Human Movement Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea.
- Neuromechanical Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea.
- Division of Sport Science & Sport Science Institute, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea.
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Günther A, Hanganu-Opatz IL. Neuronal oscillations: early biomarkers of psychiatric disease? Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1038981. [PMID: 36600993 PMCID: PMC9806131 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1038981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the environmental and genetic factors contributing to the wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders has significantly increased in recent years. Impairment of neuronal network activity during early development has been suggested as a contributor to the emergence of neuropsychiatric pathologies later in life. Still, the neurobiological substrates underlying these disorders remain yet to be fully understood and the lack of biomarkers for early diagnosis has impeded research into curative treatment options. Here, we briefly review current knowledge on potential biomarkers for emerging neuropsychiatric disease. Moreover, we summarize recent findings on aberrant activity patterns in the context of psychiatric disease, with a particular focus on their potential as early biomarkers of neuropathologies, an essential step towards pre-symptomatic diagnosis and, thus, early intervention.
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Martin DM, Berryhill ME, Dielenberg V. Can brain stimulation enhance cognition in clinical populations? A critical review. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2022:RNN211230. [PMID: 36404559 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many psychiatric and neurological conditions are associated with cognitive impairment for which there are very limited treatment options. Brain stimulation methodologies show promise as novel therapeutics and have cognitive effects. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), known more for its related transient adverse cognitive effects, can produce significant cognitive improvement in the weeks following acute treatment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used as a treatment for major depression and has acute cognitive effects. Emerging research from controlled studies suggests that repeated TMS treatments may additionally have cognitive benefit. ECT and TMS treatment cause neurotrophic changes, although whether these are associated with cognitive effects remains unclear. Transcranial electrical stimulation methods including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are in development as novel treatments for multiple psychiatric conditions. These treatments may also produce cognitive enhancement particularly when stimulation occurs concurrently with a cognitive task. This review summarizes the current clinical evidence for these brain stimulation treatments as therapeutics for enhancing cognition. Acute, or short-lasting, effects as well as longer-term effects from repeated treatments are reviewed, together with potential putative neural mechanisms. Areas of future research are highlighted to assist with optimization of these approaches for enhancing cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donel M. Martin
- Sydney Neurostimulation Centre, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health UNSW, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marian E. Berryhill
- Memory and Brain Lab, Programs in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and Integrative Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Victoria Dielenberg
- Sydney Neurostimulation Centre, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health UNSW, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Bjekić J, Paunovic D, Živanović M, Stanković M, Griskova-Bulanova I, Filipović SR. Determining the Individual Theta Frequency for Associative Memory Targeted Personalized Transcranial Brain Stimulation. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091367. [PMID: 36143152 PMCID: PMC9506372 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods have gained increased interest in research and therapy of associative memory (AM) and its impairments. However, the one-size-fits-all approach yields inconsistent findings, thus putting forward the need for electroencephalography (EEG)-guided personalized frequency-modulated NIBS protocols to increase the focality and the effectiveness of the interventions. Still, extraction of individual frequency, especially in the theta band, turned out to be a challenging task. Here we present an approach to extracting the individual theta-band frequency (ITF) from EEG signals recorded during the AM task. The method showed a 93% success rate, good reliability, and the full range of variability of the extracted ITFs. This paper provides a rationale behind the adopted approach and critically evaluates it in comparison to the alternative methods that have been reported in the literature. Finally, we discuss how it could be used as an input parameter for personalized frequency-modulated NIBS approaches—transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and transcranial oscillatory current stimulation (otDCS) directed at AM neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Bjekić
- Human Neuroscience Group, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: (J.B.); (S.R.F.)
| | - Dunja Paunovic
- Human Neuroscience Group, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Živanović
- Institute of Psychology and Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Stanković
- Human Neuroscience Group, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Inga Griskova-Bulanova
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Saša R. Filipović
- Human Neuroscience Group, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: (J.B.); (S.R.F.)
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14
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Hong KS, Khan MNA, Ghafoor U. Non-invasive transcranial electrical brain stimulation guided by functional near-infrared spectroscopy for targeted neuromodulation: A review. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35905708 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac857d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the primary goals in cognitive neuroscience is to understand the neural mechanisms on which cognition is based. Researchers are trying to find how cognitive mechanisms are related to oscillations generated due to brain activity. The research focused on this topic has been considerably aided by developing non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. The dynamics of brain networks and the resultant behavior can be affected by non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, which make their use a focus of interest in many experiments and clinical fields. One essential non-invasive brain stimulation technique is transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), subdivided into transcranial direct and alternating current stimulation. tES has recently become more well-known because of the effective results achieved in treating chronic conditions. In addition, there has been exceptional progress in the interpretation and feasibility of tES techniques. Summarizing the beneficial effects of tES, this article provides an updated depiction of what has been accomplished to date, brief history, and the open questions that need to be addressed in the future. An essential issue in the field of tES is stimulation duration. This review briefly covers the stimulation durations that have been utilized in the field while monitoring the brain using functional-near infrared spectroscopy-based brain imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keum-Shik Hong
- Department of Cogno-mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, 2 Busandaehak-ro, Geumgeong-gu, Busan, Busan, 609735, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - M N Afzal Khan
- Pusan National University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Busan, 46241, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Usman Ghafoor
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University College of Engineering, room 204, Busan, 46241, Korea (the Republic of)
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15
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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: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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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16
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Antal A, Luber B, Brem AK, Bikson M, Brunoni AR, Cohen Kadosh R, Dubljević V, Fecteau S, Ferreri F, Flöel A, Hallett M, Hamilton RH, Herrmann CS, Lavidor M, Loo C, Lustenberger C, Machado S, Miniussi C, Moliadze V, Nitsche MA, Rossi S, Rossini PM, Santarnecchi E, Seeck M, Thut G, Turi Z, Ugawa Y, Venkatasubramanian G, Wenderoth N, Wexler A, Ziemann U, Paulus W. Non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroenhancement. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2022; 7:146-165. [PMID: 35734582 PMCID: PMC9207555 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The available data frame with a wide parameter space of tES does not allow an overarching protocol recommendation. Established engineering risk-management procedures with regard to manufacturing should be followed. Consensus among experts is that tES for neuroenhancement is safe as long as tested protocols are followed.
Attempts to enhance human memory and learning ability have a long tradition in science. This topic has recently gained substantial attention because of the increasing percentage of older individuals worldwide and the predicted rise of age-associated cognitive decline in brain functions. Transcranial brain stimulation methods, such as transcranial magnetic (TMS) and transcranial electric (tES) stimulation, have been extensively used in an effort to improve cognitive functions in humans. Here we summarize the available data on low-intensity tES for this purpose, in comparison to repetitive TMS and some pharmacological agents, such as caffeine and nicotine. There is no single area in the brain stimulation field in which only positive outcomes have been reported. For self-directed tES devices, how to restrict variability with regard to efficacy is an essential aspect of device design and function. As with any technique, reproducible outcomes depend on the equipment and how well this is matched to the experience and skill of the operator. For self-administered non-invasive brain stimulation, this requires device designs that rigorously incorporate human operator factors. The wide parameter space of non-invasive brain stimulation, including dose (e.g., duration, intensity (current density), number of repetitions), inclusion/exclusion (e.g., subject’s age), and homeostatic effects, administration of tasks before and during stimulation, and, most importantly, placebo or nocebo effects, have to be taken into account. The outcomes of stimulation are expected to depend on these parameters and should be strictly controlled. The consensus among experts is that low-intensity tES is safe as long as tested and accepted protocols (including, for example, dose, inclusion/exclusion) are followed and devices are used which follow established engineering risk-management procedures. Devices and protocols that allow stimulation outside these parameters cannot claim to be “safe” where they are applying stimulation beyond that examined in published studies that also investigated potential side effects. Brain stimulation devices marketed for consumer use are distinct from medical devices because they do not make medical claims and are therefore not necessarily subject to the same level of regulation as medical devices (i.e., by government agencies tasked with regulating medical devices). Manufacturers must follow ethical and best practices in marketing tES stimulators, including not misleading users by referencing effects from human trials using devices and protocols not similar to theirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Antal
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Corresponding author at: Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Robert Koch Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Bruce Luber
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit, Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anna-Katharine Brem
- University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marom Bikson
- Biomedical Engineering at the City College of New York (CCNY) of the City University of New York (CUNY), NY, USA
| | - Andre R. Brunoni
- Departamento de Clínica Médica e de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation (SIN), Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Institute of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roi Cohen Kadosh
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Veljko Dubljević
- Science, Technology and Society Program, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Shirley Fecteau
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Centre intégré universitaire en santé et services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Florinda Ferreri
- Unit of Neurology, Unit of Clinical Neurophysiology, Study Center of Neurodegeneration (CESNE), Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Agnes Flöel
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Standort Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Roy H. Hamilton
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christoph S. Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Michal Lavidor
- Department of Psychology and the Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Israel
| | - Collen Loo
- School of Psychiatry and Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales; The George Institute; Sydney, Australia
| | - Caroline Lustenberger
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Machado
- Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
- Laboratory of Physical Activity Neuroscience, Neurodiversity Institute, Queimados-RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlo Miniussi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences – CIMeC and Centre for Medical Sciences - CISMed, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Vera Moliadze
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU, Dortmund, Germany
- Dept. Neurology, University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
| | - Simone Rossi
- Siena Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo M. Rossini
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Brain Connectivity Lab, IRCCS-San Raffaele-Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience and Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margitta Seeck
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Switzerland
| | - Gregor Thut
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, EEG & Epolepsy Unit, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Zsolt Turi
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yoshikazu Ugawa
- Department of Human Neurophysiology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | | | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Anna Wexler
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Walter Paulus
- Department of of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Germany
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17
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Al Qasem W, Abubaker M, Kvašňák E. Working Memory and Transcranial-Alternating Current Stimulation-State of the Art: Findings, Missing, and Challenges. Front Psychol 2022; 13:822545. [PMID: 35237214 PMCID: PMC8882605 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.822545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is a cognitive process that involves maintaining and manipulating information for a short period of time. WM is central to many cognitive processes and declines rapidly with age. Deficits in WM are seen in older adults and in patients with dementia, schizophrenia, major depression, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, etc. The frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices are significantly involved in WM processing and all brain oscillations are implicated in tackling WM tasks, particularly theta and gamma bands. The theta/gamma neural code hypothesis assumes that retained memory items are recorded via theta-nested gamma cycles. Neuronal oscillations can be manipulated by sensory, invasive- and non-invasive brain stimulations. Transcranial alternating-current stimulation (tACS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are frequency-tuned non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques that have been used to entrain endogenous oscillations in a frequency-specific manner. Compared to rTMS, tACS demonstrates superior cost, tolerability, portability, and safety profile, making it an attractive potential tool for improving cognitive performance. Although cognitive research with tACS is still in its infancy compared to rTMS, a number of studies have shown a promising WM enhancement effect, especially in the elderly and patients with cognitive deficits. This review focuses on the various methods and outcomes of tACS on WM in healthy and unhealthy human adults and highlights the established findings, unknowns, challenges, and perspectives important for translating laboratory tACS into realistic clinical settings. This will allow researchers to identify gaps in the literature and develop frequency-tuned tACS protocols with promising safety and efficacy outcomes. Therefore, research efforts in this direction should help to consider frequency-tuned tACS as a non-pharmacological tool of cognitive rehabilitation in physiological aging and patients with cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiam Al Qasem
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Medical Informatics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Praha, Czechia
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18
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Booth SJ, Taylor JR, Brown LJE, Pobric G. The effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on memory performance in healthy adults: A systematic review. Cortex 2021; 147:112-139. [PMID: 35032750 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The recent introduction of Transcranial Alternating Current stimulation (tACS) in research on memory modulation has yielded some exciting findings. Whilst evidence suggests small but significant modulatory effects of tACS on perception and cognition, it is unclear how effective tACS is at modulating memory, and the neural oscillations underlying memory. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy with which tACS, compared to sham stimulation, can modify working memory (WM) and long-term memory (LTM) performance in healthy adults. We examined how these effects may be moderated by specific tACS parameters and study/participant characteristics. Our secondary goal was to investigate the neural correlates of tACS' effects on memory performance in healthy adults. A systematic search of eight databases yielded 11,413 records, resulting in 34 papers that included 104 eligible studies. The results were synthesised by memory type (WM/LTM) and according to the specific parameters of frequency band, stimulation montage, individual variability, cognitive demand, and phase. A second synthesis examined the correspondence between tACS' effects on memory performance and the oscillatory features of electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetencephalography (MEG) recordings in a subset of 26 studies. The results showed a small-to-medium effect of tACS on WM and LTM performance overall. There was strong evidence to suggest that posterior theta-tACS modulates WM performance, whilst the modulation of LTM is achieved by anterior gamma-tACS. Moreover, there was a correspondence between tACS effects on memory performance and oscillatory outcomes at the stimulation frequency. We discuss limitations in the field and suggest ways to improve our understanding of tACS efficacy to ensure a transition of tACS from an investigative method to a therapeutic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Booth
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
| | - Jason R Taylor
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
| | - Laura J E Brown
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
| | - Gorana Pobric
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
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19
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Chen F, Lv X, Fang J, Li T, Xu J, Wang X, Hong Y, Hong L, Wang J, Wang W, Wang C. Body-mind relaxation meditation modulates the thalamocortical functional connectivity in major depressive disorder: a preliminary resting-state fMRI study. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:546. [PMID: 34689151 PMCID: PMC8542047 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01637-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions such as meditation have increasingly been utilized for the treatment of psychological disorders and have been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression and relapse prevention. However, it remains largely unclear the neural mechanism of the therapeutic effects of meditation among depressed individuals. In this study, we investigated how body-mind relaxation meditation (BMRM) can modulate the thalamocortical functional connectivity (FC) in major depressive disorder patients and healthy controls. In the present study, we recruited 21 medication-naive adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDDs) and 24 matched healthy controls (HCs). We designed an audio recording to induce body-mind relaxation meditation. Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) scans were collected before and after the BMRM intervention in both groups. The thalamus subregions were defined according to the Human Brainnetome Atlas, and functional connectivity (FC) was measured and compared to find brain regions that were affected by the BMRM intervention. Before the BMRM intervention, MDDs showed reduced FC of the bilateral precuneus/post cingulate cortex with the left posterior parietal thalamus and left caudal temporal thalamus, as well as an increased FC of the left occipital thalamus with the left medial frontal cortex. Moreover, aberrant FCs in MDDs at baseline were normalized following the BMRM intervention. After the BMRM intervention, both MDDs and HCs showed decreased FC between the left rostral temporal thalamus and the left inferior occipital. Given the small sample used in this study, future studies are warranted to evaluate the generalizability of these findings. Our findings suggest that BMRM is associated with changes in thalamocortical functional connectivity in MDDs. BMRM may act by strengthening connections between the thalamus and the default mode network, which are involved in a variety of high-level functioning, such as attention and self-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Chen
- grid.263488.30000 0001 0472 9649College of Mathematics and Statistics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060 China
| | - Xueyu Lv
- grid.410318.f0000 0004 0632 3409Guang’an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Jiliang Fang
- grid.410318.f0000 0004 0632 3409Guang’an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Tao Li
- grid.410318.f0000 0004 0632 3409Guang’an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Jinping Xu
- grid.458489.c0000 0001 0483 7922Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- grid.410318.f0000 0004 0632 3409Guang’an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Yang Hong
- grid.410318.f0000 0004 0632 3409Guang’an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Lan Hong
- grid.410318.f0000 0004 0632 3409Guang’an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Jian Wang
- grid.410318.f0000 0004 0632 3409Guang’an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Weidong Wang
- Guang'an Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China.
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China. .,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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20
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Poltorak A. Replicating Cortical Signatures May Open the Possibility for "Transplanting" Brain States via Brain Entrainment. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:710003. [PMID: 34630058 PMCID: PMC8492906 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.710003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain states, which correlate with specific motor, cognitive, and emotional states, may be monitored with noninvasive techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) that measure macroscopic cortical activity manifested as oscillatory network dynamics. These rhythmic cortical signatures provide insight into the neuronal activity used to identify pathological cortical function in numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions. Sensory and transcranial stimulation, entraining the brain with specific brain rhythms, can effectively induce desired brain states (such as state of sleep or state of attention) correlated with such cortical rhythms. Because brain states have distinct neural correlates, it may be possible to induce a desired brain state by replicating these neural correlates through stimulation. To do so, we propose recording brain waves from a "donor" in a particular brain state using EEG/MEG to extract cortical signatures of the brain state. These cortical signatures would then be inverted and used to entrain the brain of a "recipient" via sensory or transcranial stimulation. We propose that brain states may thus be transferred between people by acquiring an associated cortical signature from a donor, which, following processing, may be applied to a recipient through sensory or transcranial stimulation. This technique may provide a novel and effective neuromodulation approach to the noninvasive, non-pharmacological treatment of a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders for which current treatments are mostly limited to pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Poltorak
- Neuroenhancement Lab, Suffern, NY, United States
- The City College of New York, New York, NY, United States
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21
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Yu TW, Lane HY, Lin CH. Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158208. [PMID: 34360973 PMCID: PMC8348485 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and accounts for most cases of dementia. The prevalence of AD has increased in the current rapidly aging society and contributes to a heavy burden on families and society. Despite the profound impact of AD, current treatments are unable to achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects or stop the progression of the disease. Finding novel treatments for AD has become urgent. In this paper, we reviewed novel therapeutic approaches in five categories: anti-amyloid therapy, anti-tau therapy, anti-neuroinflammatory therapy, neuroprotective agents including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor modulators, and brain stimulation. The trend of therapeutic development is shifting from a single pathological target to a more complex mechanism, such as the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. While drug repositioning may accelerate pharmacological development, non-pharmacological interventions, especially repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), also have the potential for clinical application. In the future, it is possible for physicians to choose appropriate interventions individually on the basis of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien-Wei Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.L.); (C.-H.L.); Tel.: +886-921-067-260 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7317123 (ext. 8753) (C.-H.L.); Fax: +886-4-2236-1042 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7326817 (C.-H.L.)
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.L.); (C.-H.L.); Tel.: +886-921-067-260 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7317123 (ext. 8753) (C.-H.L.); Fax: +886-4-2236-1042 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7326817 (C.-H.L.)
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Andò A, Vasilotta ML, Zennaro A. The modulation of emotional awareness using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques: a literature review on TMS and tDCS. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/20445911.2021.1954013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Agata Andò
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Frohlich F, Riddle J, Abramowitz JS. Transcranial alternating current stimulation for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder? Brain Stimul 2021; 14:1048-1050. [PMID: 34192553 PMCID: PMC9337719 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan S Abramowitz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Benussi A, Cantoni V, Cotelli MS, Cotelli M, Brattini C, Datta A, Thomas C, Santarnecchi E, Pascual-Leone A, Borroni B. Exposure to gamma tACS in Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover, pilot study. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:531-540. [PMID: 33762220 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether exposure to non-invasive brain stimulation with transcranial alternating current stimulation at γ frequency (γ-tACS) applied over Pz (an area overlying the medial parietal cortex and the precuneus) can improve memory and modulate cholinergic transmission in mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (MCI-AD). METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, sham controlled, crossover pilot study, participants were assigned to a single 60 min treatment with exposure to γ-tACS over Pz or sham tACS. Each subject underwent a clinical evaluation including assessment of episodic memory pre- and post-γ-tACS or sham stimulation. Indirect measures of cholinergic transmission evaluated using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pre- and post-γ-tACS or sham tACS were evaluated. RESULTS Twenty MCI-AD participants completed the study. No tACS-related side effects were observed, and the intervention was well tolerated in all participants. We observed a significant improvement at the Rey auditory verbal learning (RAVL) test total recall (5.7 [95% CI, 4.0 to 7.4], p < 0.001) and long delayed recall scores (1.3 [95% CI, 0.4 to 2.1], p = 0.007) after γ-tACS but not after sham tACS. Face-name associations scores improved during γ-tACS (4.3 [95% CI, 2.8 to 5.8], p < 0.001) but not after sham tACS. Short latency afferent inhibition, an indirect measure of cholinergic transmission evaluated with TMS, increased only after γ-tACS (0.31 [95% CI, 0.24 to 0.38], p < 0.001) but not after sham tACS. CONCLUSIONS exposure to γ-tACS over Pz showed a significant improvement of memory performances, along with restoration of intracortical connectivity measures of cholinergic neurotransmission, compared to sham tACS.
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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
| | | | - Maria Cotelli
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Brattini
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Abhishek Datta
- Research & Development, Soterix Medical, Inc., New York, USA
| | - Chris Thomas
- Research & Development, Soterix Medical, Inc., New York, USA
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Berenson-Allen Center for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA; Guttmann Brain Health Institut, Institut Guttmann, Universitat Autonoma 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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Elyamany O, Leicht G, Herrmann CS, Mulert C. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS): from basic mechanisms towards first applications in psychiatry. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 271:135-156. [PMID: 33211157 PMCID: PMC7867505 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-020-01209-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a unique form of non-invasive brain stimulation. Sinusoidal alternating electric currents are delivered to the scalp to affect mostly cortical neurons. tACS is supposed to modulate brain function and, in turn, cognitive processes by entraining brain oscillations and inducing long-term synaptic plasticity. Therefore, tACS has been investigated in cognitive neuroscience, but only recently, it has been also introduced in psychiatric clinical trials. This review describes current concepts and first findings of applying tACS as a potential therapeutic tool in the field of psychiatry. The current understanding of its mechanisms of action is explained, bridging cellular neuronal activity and the brain network mechanism. Revisiting the relevance of altered brain oscillations found in six major psychiatric disorders, putative targets for the management of mental disorders using tACS are discussed. A systematic literature search on PubMed was conducted to report findings of the clinical studies applying tACS in patients with psychiatric conditions. In conclusion, the initial results may support the feasibility of tACS in clinical psychiatric populations without serious adverse events. Moreover, these results showed the ability of tACS to reset disturbed brain oscillations, and thus to improve behavioural outcomes. In addition to its potential therapeutic role, the reactivity of the brain circuits to tACS could serve as a possible tool to determine the diagnosis, classification or prognosis of psychiatric disorders. Future double-blind randomised controlled trials are necessary to answer currently unresolved questions. They may aim to detect response predictors and control for various confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Elyamany
- Centre of Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig University, Klinikstrasse 36, 35392, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
- Centre for Mind, Brain and Behaviour (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gregor Leicht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Centre for Excellence "Hearing4all," European Medical School, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Research Centre Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
| | - Christoph Mulert
- Centre of Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig University, Klinikstrasse 36, 35392, Giessen, Hessen, Germany.
- Centre for Mind, Brain and Behaviour (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany.
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Assogna M, Sprugnoli G, Press D, Dickerson B, Macone J, Bonnì S, Borghi I, Connor A, Hoffman M, Grover N, Wong B, Shen C, Martorana A, O'Reilly M, Ruffini G, El Fakhri G, Koch G, Santarnecchi E. Gamma‐induction in frontotemporal dementia (GIFTeD) randomized placebo‐controlled trial: Rationale, noninvasive brain stimulation protocol, and study design. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA: TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2021; 7:e12219. [PMID: 35141396 PMCID: PMC8813035 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no effective pharmacological treatment. Recently, interneuron activity responsible for fast oscillatory brain activity has been found to be impaired in a mouse model of FTD with consequent cognitive and behavioral alterations. In this study, we aim to investigate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a novel promising therapeutic intervention for FTD based on 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a form of non‐invasive brain stimulation thought to engage neural activity in a frequency‐specific manner and thus suited to restore altered brain oscillatory patterns. Methods This is a multi‐site, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial on 50 patients with a diagnosis of behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD). Participants will be randomized to undergo either 30 days of 1‐hour daily tACS or Sham (placebo) tACS. The outcomes will be assessed at baseline, right after the intervention and at a 3‐ to 6‐months follow‐up. The primary outcome measures are represented by the safety and feasibility of tACS administration, which will be assessed considering the nature, frequency, and severity of adverse events as well as attrition rate, respectively. To assess secondary outcomes, participants will undergo extensive neuropsychological and behavioral assessments and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)–positron emission tomography (PET) scans to evaluate changes in brain metabolism, functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting and evoked electroencephalography, as well as blood biomarkers to measure changes in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory markers. Results The trial started in October 2020 and will end in October 2023. Study protocols have been approved by the local institutional review board (IRB) at each data‐collection site. Discussion This study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of 40 Hz tACS in bvFTD patients and its efficacy on gamma oscillatory activity, cognitive function, and brain glucose hypometabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Assogna
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
- Non‐Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Giulia Sprugnoli
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
- Radiology Unit Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Parma Parma Italy
| | - Daniel Press
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Brad Dickerson
- Frontotemporal Disorders Unit and Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Joanna Macone
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Sonia Bonnì
- Non‐Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Ilaria Borghi
- Non‐Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Ann Connor
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Megan Hoffman
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Nainika Grover
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Bonnie Wong
- Frontotemporal Disorders Unit and Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Changyu Shen
- Richard and Susan Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology Division of Cardiology Beth Israel Deaconess Medical and Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | | | - Molly O'Reilly
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | | | - Georges El Fakhri
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging Department of Radiology Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Giacomo Koch
- Non‐Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit Department of Behavioural and Clinical Neurology Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS Rome Italy
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Berenson‐Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging Department of Radiology Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
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Boetzel C, Herrmann CS. Potential targets for the treatment of ADHD using transcranial electrical current stimulation. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 264:151-170. [PMID: 34167654 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disease with a prevalence of 2%-7.5% among the population. It is characterized by three core symptoms: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Although the majority of ADHD patients respond to a combination of psychotherapy and standard pharmacotherapy with Methylphenidate, there is a significant minority of patients that do not respond to these substances. Additionally, the treatment with Methylphenidate can cause a variety of side effects like insomnia, headache, decreased appetite, and xerostomia. It would be favorable to have an alternative treatment-option that could circumnavigate the shortcomings of traditional pharmacological treatments. Recent results show that transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) might offer a promising approach. Since research has shown that ADHD is associated with various alterations in brain activity, brain stimulation methods targeting different facets of neuronal functions are currently under investigation. In this article, we briefly review different tES techniques like transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and explain the modes of action of these brain stimulations. We will specifically focus on transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) as a potential method of treating ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Boetzel
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster of Excellence "Hearing for All," Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster of Excellence "Hearing for All," Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany; Neuroimaging Unit, European Medical School, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany.
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28
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The Modulation of Cognitive Performance with Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation: A Systematic Review of Frequency-Specific Effects. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120932. [PMID: 33276533 PMCID: PMC7761592 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that allows the manipulation of intrinsic brain oscillations. Numerous studies have applied tACS in the laboratory to enhance cognitive performance. With this systematic review, we aim to provide an overview of frequency-specific tACS effects on a range of cognitive functions in healthy adults. This may help to transfer stimulation protocols to real-world applications. We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed and Cochrane databases and considered tACS studies in healthy adults (age > 18 years) that focused on cognitive performance. The search yielded n = 109 studies, of which n = 57 met the inclusion criteria. The results indicate that theta-tACS was beneficial for several cognitive functions, including working memory, executive functions, and declarative memory. Gamma-tACS enhanced performance in both auditory and visual perception but it did not change performance in tasks of executive functions. For attention, the results were less consistent but point to an improvement in performance with alpha- or gamma-tACS. We discuss these findings and point to important considerations that would precede a transfer to real-world applications.
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29
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Turner DA, Degan S, Galeffi F, Schmidt S, Peterchev AV. Rapid, Dose-Dependent Enhancement of Cerebral Blood Flow by transcranial AC Stimulation in Mouse. Brain Stimul 2020; 14:80-87. [PMID: 33217607 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial electrical stimulation at an appropriate dose may demonstrate intracranial effects, including neuronal stimulation and cerebral blood flow responses. OBJECTIVE We performed in vivo experiments on mouse cortex using transcranial alternating current [AC] stimulation to assess whether cerebral blood flow can be reliably altered by extracranial stimulation. METHODS We performed transcranial AC electrical stimulation transversely across the closed skull in anesthetized mice, measuring transcranial cerebral blood flow with a laser Doppler probe and intracranial electrical responses as endpoint biomarkers. We calculated a stimulation dose-response function between intracranial electric field and cerebral blood flow. RESULTS Stimulation at electric field amplitudes of 5-20 mV/mm at 10-20 Hz rapidly increased cerebral blood flow (within 100 ms), which then quickly decreased with no residual effects. The time to peak and blood flow shape varied with stimulation intensity and duration, showing a linear correlation between stimulation dose and peak blood flow increase. Neither afterdischarges nor spreading depression occurred from this level of stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Extracranial stimulation amplitudes sufficient to evoke reliable blood flow changes require electric field strengths higher than what is tolerable in unanesthetized humans (<1 mV/mm), but less than electroconvulsive therapy levels (>40 mV/mm). However, anesthesia effects, spontaneous blood flow fluctuations, and sampling error may accentuate the apparent field strength needed for enhanced blood flow. The translation to a human dose-response function to augment cerebral blood flow (i.e., in stroke recovery) will require significant modification, potentially to pericranial, focused, multi-electrode application or intracranial stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A Turner
- Neurosurgery, Duke University, USA; Neurobiology, Duke University, USA; Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, USA; Surgery and Research Branches, Durham VAMC, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Simone Degan
- Neurosurgery, Duke University, USA; Surgery and Research Branches, Durham VAMC, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Francesca Galeffi
- Neurosurgery, Duke University, USA; Surgery and Research Branches, Durham VAMC, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Stephen Schmidt
- Neurosurgery, Duke University, USA; Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, USA
| | - Angel V Peterchev
- Neurosurgery, Duke University, USA; Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, USA; Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, USA; Electrical & Computer Engineering, Duke University, USA
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Kegler M, Reichenbach T. Modelling the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on the neural encoding of speech in noise. Neuroimage 2020; 224:117427. [PMID: 33038540 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can non-invasively modulate neuronal activity in the cerebral cortex, in particular at the frequency of the applied stimulation. Such modulation can matter for speech processing, since the latter involves the tracking of slow amplitude fluctuations in speech by cortical activity. tACS with a current signal that follows the envelope of a speech stimulus has indeed been found to influence the cortical tracking and to modulate the comprehension of the speech in background noise. However, how exactly tACS influences the speech-related cortical activity, and how it causes the observed effects on speech comprehension, remains poorly understood. A computational model for cortical speech processing in a biophysically plausible spiking neural network has recently been proposed. Here we extended the model to investigate the effects of different types of stimulation waveforms, similar to those previously applied in experimental studies, on the processing of speech in noise. We assessed in particular how well speech could be decoded from the neural network activity when paired with the exogenous stimulation. We found that, in the absence of current stimulation, the speech-in-noise decoding accuracy was comparable to the comprehension of speech in background noise of human listeners. We further found that current stimulation could alter the speech decoding accuracy by a few percent, comparable to the effects of tACS on speech-in-noise comprehension. Our simulations further allowed us to identify the parameters for the stimulation waveforms that yielded the largest enhancement of speech-in-noise encoding. Our model thereby provides insight into the potential neural mechanisms by which weak alternating current stimulation may influence speech comprehension and allows to screen a large range of stimulation waveforms for their effect on speech processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikolaj Kegler
- Department of Bioengineering and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2BU London, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Reichenbach
- Department of Bioengineering and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2BU London, United Kingdom.
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Alpha-tACS effect on inhibitory control and feasibility of administration in community outpatient substance use treatment. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 213:108132. [PMID: 32593154 PMCID: PMC8815795 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in inhibitory control (IC) and distress tolerance (DT) are associated with substance use disorders (SUD) and post-treatment return to substance use. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) modulates the neural oscillations that are associated with the cognitive and affective mechanisms contributing to IC and DT. The aims of the current study were to examine the feasibility and acceptability of administering tACS in a community-based SUD treatment setting, and to test the effect of alpha-tACS on IC and DT. METHOD A double-blind, randomized, active sham-controlled trial of treatment-seeking adults with a SUD (N = 30, Meanage = 43.2 years, 70.0% male). Participants attended two sessions and completed computerized inhibitory control and distress tolerance tasks while receiving tACS targeting the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Participants received sham-tACS and were then randomized to receive sham-, alpha-, or gamma-tACS within 2-3 days. RESULTS Treatment retention was 87%. Participant self-reported belief of having received tACS and mean side effect intensity ratings did not differ across conditions, with all side effect ratings in the absent to mild range. There was a large (d = 0.83) and significant effect of alpha-tACS on inhibitory control compared to sham-tACS (β = 1.78, SE = 0.65, 95 % CI: 0.41, 3.14, p<0.01). There were no significant effects of condition on distress tolerance. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study of tACS in adults with a SUD. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for recruitment, retention, and administration feasibility of tACS in a community-based substance use treatment program and a beneficial effect of alpha-tACS on inhibitory control.
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32
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Castellano M, Ibañez-Soria D, Kroupi E, Acedo J, Campolo M, Soria-Frisch A, Valls-Sole J, Verma A, Ruffini G. Intermittent tACS during a visual task impacts neural oscillations and LZW complexity. Exp Brain Res 2020; 238:1411-1422. [PMID: 32367144 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) interacts with brain activity. Here, we investigate the effects of tACS using an intermittent tACS-EEG protocol and use, in addition to classical metrics, Lempel-Ziv-Welch complexity (LZW) to characterize the interactions between task, endogenous and exogenous oscillations. In a cross-over study, EEG was recorded from thirty participants engaged in a change-of-speed detection task while receiving multichannel tACS over the visual cortex at 10 Hz, 70 Hz and a control condition. In each session, tACS was applied intermittently during 5 s events interleaved with EEG recordings over multiple trials. We found that, with respect to control, stimulation at 10 Hz ([Formula: see text]) enhanced both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] power, [Formula: see text]-LZW complexity and [Formula: see text] but not [Formula: see text] phase locking value with respect to tACS onset ([Formula: see text]-PLV, [Formula: see text]-PLV), and increased reaction time (RT). [Formula: see text] increased RT with little impact on other metrics. As trials associated with larger [Formula: see text]-power (and lower [Formula: see text]-LZW) predicted shorter RT, we argue that [Formula: see text] produces a disruption of functionally relevant fast oscillations through an increase in [Formula: see text]-band power, slowing behavioural responses and increasing the complexity of gamma oscillations. Our study highlights the complex interaction between tACS and endogenous brain dynamics, and suggests the use of algorithmic complexity inspired metrics to characterize cortical dynamics in a behaviorally relevant timescale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castellano
- Starlab Barcelona SL, Av. del Tibidabo 47 bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Eleni Kroupi
- Starlab Barcelona SL, Av. del Tibidabo 47 bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Acedo
- Neuroelectrics SLU, Av. del Tibidabo 47 bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michela Campolo
- EMG Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS (Institut d'Inveatigació Agustí Pi i Sunyer), Facultat de Medicina, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Josep Valls-Sole
- EMG Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS (Institut d'Inveatigació Agustí Pi i Sunyer), Facultat de Medicina, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ajay Verma
- Biogen Inc., 225 Binney St, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Giulio Ruffini
- Neuroelectrics Corp., 2 10 Broadway, Suite 201, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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Dallmer-Zerbe I, Popp F, Lam AP, Philipsen A, Herrmann CS. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) as a Tool to Modulate P300 Amplitude in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Preliminary Findings. Brain Topogr 2020; 33:191-207. [PMID: 31974733 PMCID: PMC7066286 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-020-00752-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Studies examining event-related potentials (ERP) in patients affected by attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have found considerable evidence of reduced target P300 amplitude across different perceptual modalities. P300 amplitude has been related to attention-driven context comparison and resource allocation processes. Altered P300 amplitude in ADHD can be reasonably assumed to be related to ADHD typical cognitive performance deficits. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can increase the amplitude of endogenous brain oscillations. Because ERP components can be viewed as event-related oscillations (EROs), with P300 translating into the delta (0–4 Hz) and theta (4–8 Hz) frequency range, an increase of delta and theta ERO amplitudes by tACS should result in an increase of P300 amplitudes in ADHD patients. In this pilot study, 18 adult ADHD patients (7 female) performed three consecutive blocks of a visual oddball task while the electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Patients received either 20 min of tACS or sham stimulation at a stimulation intensity of 1 mA. Individual stimulation frequency was determined using a time–frequency decomposition of the P300. Our preliminary results demonstrate a significant increase in P300 amplitude in the stimulation group which was accompanied by a decrease in omission errors pre-to-post tACS. However, studies including larger sample sizes are advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Dallmer-Zerbe
- Department of Complex Systems, Institute of Computer Science, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Physiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster for Excellence "Hearing for All", Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Popp
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster for Excellence "Hearing for All", Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philomena Lam
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy - University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy - University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany
| | - Christoph Siegfried Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster for Excellence "Hearing for All", Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany. .,Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl Von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany.
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Prim JH, Ahn S, Davila MI, Alexander ML, McCulloch KL, Fröhlich F. Targeting the Autonomic Nervous System Balance in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain Using Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. J Pain Res 2019; 12:3265-3277. [PMID: 31849514 PMCID: PMC6912089 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s208030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is characterized by an alteration in pain processing by the central nervous system that may affect autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the balance of parasympathetic and sympathetic ANS activation. In particular, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) solely reflects parasympathetic input and is reduced in CLBP patients. Yet, it remains unknown if non-invasive brain stimulation can alter ANS balance in CLBP patients. Objective To evaluate if non-invasive brain stimulation modulates the ANS, we analyzed HRV metrics collected in a previously published study of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for the modulation of CLBP through enhancing alpha oscillations. We hypothesized that tACS would increase RSA. Methods A randomized, crossover, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot study was conducted to investigate the effects of 10Hz-tACS on metrics of ANS balance calculated from electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG data were collected for 2 mins before and after 40 mins of 10Hz-tACS or sham stimulation. Results There were no significant changes in RSA or other frequency-domain HRV components from 10Hz-tACS. However, exploratory time-domain HRV analyses revealed a significant increase in the standard deviation of normal intervals between R-peaks (SDNN), a measure of ANS balance, for 10Hz-tACS relative to sham. Conclusion Although tACS did not significantly increase RSA, we found in an exploratory analysis that tACS modulated an integrated HRV measure of both ANS branches. These findings support the further study of how the ANS and alpha oscillations interact and are modulated by tACS. ClinicalTrials.gov Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Back Pain – Pilot Study, NCT03243084.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianna H Prim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Allied Health Sciences, Human Movement Science Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sangtae Ahn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Maria I Davila
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Morgan L Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Karen L McCulloch
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, Human Movement Science Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Division of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Flavio Fröhlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Selective recruitment of cortical neurons by electrical stimulation. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1007277. [PMID: 31449517 PMCID: PMC6742409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its critical importance in experimental and clinical neuroscience, at present there is no systematic method to predict which neural elements will be activated by a given stimulation regime. Here we develop a novel approach to model the effect of cortical stimulation on spiking probability of neurons in a volume of tissue, by applying an analytical estimate of stimulation-induced activation of different cell types across cortical layers. We utilize the morphology and properties of axonal arborization profiles obtained from publicly available anatomical reconstructions of the twelve main categories of neocortical neurons to derive the dependence of activation probability on cell type, layer and distance from the source. We then propagate this activity through the local network incorporating connectivity, synaptic and cellular properties. Our work predicts that (a) intracranial cortical stimulation induces selective activation across cell types and layers; (b) superficial anodal stimulation is more effective than cathodal at cell activation; (c) cortical surface stimulation focally activates layer I axons, and (d) there is an optimal stimulation intensity capable of eliciting cell activation lasting beyond the end of stimulation. We conclude that selective effects of cortical electrical stimulation across cell types and cortical layers are largely driven by their different axonal arborization and myelination profiles. Brain stimulation is widely used to probe the neural system to learn about its properties, to normalize dysfunction (e.g., deep brain stimulation for Parkinsonian patients), or to manipulate brain activity, including enhancing memory and learning. Despite its critical importance in experimental and clinical neuroscience, at present there are no systematic methods to predict which neural elements of the brain will be activated by a given stimulation regime. To address this question, we propose a novel theoretical framework that models the effect of cortical stimulation on the spiking probability of a neuron based on its location, type and morphology. Our study predicts that short-lived superficial electrical stimulation has the ability to trigger spiking in layer IV pyramidal cells, and to evoke network activity that could persist for hundreds of milliseconds. It further predicts a much higher spiking response to anodal stimulation compared to cathodal one, as the existence of an optimal stimulation intensity, capable of inducing a maximal response in a population of cortical cells. The results of our study can be directly taken into account in planning future electrical stimulation experiments.
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36
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New perspectives for the modulation of mind-wandering using transcranial electric brain stimulation. Neuroscience 2019; 409:69-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Sreeraj VS, Shivakumar V, Sowmya S, Bose A, Nawani H, Narayanaswamy JC, Venkatasubramanian G. Online Theta Frequency Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia: A Case Report and Review of Literature. J ECT 2019; 35:139-143. [PMID: 30024457 DOI: 10.1097/yct.0000000000000523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that uses low-intensity alternating current, has been postulated to be a potential therapeutic option in treating the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Transcranial alternating current stimulation synchronizes the neural oscillations to the applied stimulation frequency in the stimulated cortical regions. In this report, we have reviewed the literature pertinent to the clinical application of tACS in psychiatric disorders; in addition, we have described the clinical use of online theta tACS in a schizophrenia patient with cognitive deficits. Online theta tACS led to improvement in working memory, attention, processing speed, and emotional processing. The beneficial effect of tACS persisted during reassessment of the patient after 50 days. Transcranial alternating current stimulation, given its noninvasiveness, safety, and ease of administration, has the potential to ameliorate cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanteemar S Sreeraj
- From the WISER Program, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
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38
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Meier J, Nolte G, Schneider TR, Engel AK, Leicht G, Mulert C. Intrinsic 40Hz-phase asymmetries predict tACS effects during conscious auditory perception. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213996. [PMID: 30943251 PMCID: PMC6447177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchronized oscillatory gamma-band activity (30-100Hz) has been suggested to constitute a key mechanism to dynamically orchestrate sensory information integration across multiple spatio-temporal scales. We here tested whether interhemispheric functional connectivity and ensuing auditory perception can selectively be modulated by high-density transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS). For this purpose, we applied multi-site HD-tACS at 40Hz bilaterally with a phase lag of 180° and recorded a 64-channel EEG to study the oscillatory phase dynamics at the source-space level during a dichotic listening (DL) task in twenty-six healthy participants. In this study, we revealed an oscillatory phase signature at 40Hz which reflects different temporal profiles of the phase asymmetries during left and right ear percept. Here we report that 180°-tACS did not affect the right ear advantage during DL at group level. However, a follow-up analysis revealed that the intrinsic phase asymmetries during sham-tACS determined the directionality of the behavioral modulations: While a shift to left ear percept was associated with augmented interhemispheric asymmetry (closer to 180°), a shift to right ear processing was elicited in subjects with lower asymmetry (closer to 0°). Crucially, the modulation of the interhemispheric network dynamics depended on the deviation of the tACS-induced phase-lag from the intrinsic phase asymmetry. Our characterization of the oscillatory network trends is giving rise to the importance of phase-specific gamma-band coupling during ambiguous auditory perception, and emphasizes the necessity to address the inter-individual variability of phase asymmetries in future studies by tailored stimulation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Meier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Guido Nolte
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till R. Schneider
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas K. Engel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gregor Leicht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Mulert
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Centre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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39
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Kenney-Jung DL, Blacker CJ, Camsari DD, Lee JC, Lewis CP. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Mechanisms and Psychiatric Applications. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2019; 28:53-60. [PMID: 30389076 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) involves the application of weak electric current to the scalp. tDCS may influence brain functioning through effects on cortical excitability, neural plasticity, and learning. Evidence in adults suggests promising therapeutic applications for depression, and the adverse effect profile is generally mild. Early research indicates complex interactions between tDCS and concurrent cognitive and motor tasks. Further investigation is warranted to understand how tDCS impacts processes relevant to psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Kenney-Jung
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 295, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Caren J Blacker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Deniz Doruk Camsari
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jonathan C Lee
- Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Charles P Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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40
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Helfrich RF, Knight RT. Cognitive neurophysiology of the prefrontal cortex. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2019; 163:35-59. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804281-6.00003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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41
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Widge AS, Boggess M, Rockhill AP, Mullen A, Sheopory S, Loonis R, Freeman DK, Miller EK. Altering alpha-frequency brain oscillations with rapid analog feedback-driven neurostimulation. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207781. [PMID: 30517149 PMCID: PMC6281199 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Oscillations of the brain's local field potential (LFP) may coordinate neural ensembles and brain networks. It has been difficult to causally test this model or to translate its implications into treatments, because there are few reliable ways to alter LFP oscillations. We developed a closed-loop analog circuit to enhance brain oscillations by feeding them back into cortex through phase-locked transcranial electrical stimulation. We tested the system in a rhesus macaque with chronically implanted electrode arrays, targeting 8-15 Hz (alpha) oscillations. Ten seconds of stimulation increased alpha oscillatory power for up to 1 second after stimulation offset. In contrast, open-loop stimulation decreased alpha power. There was no effect in the neighboring 15-30 Hz (beta) LFP rhythm or on a neighboring array that did not participate in closed-loop feedback. Analog closed-loop neurostimulation might thus be a useful strategy for altering brain oscillations, both for basic research and the treatment of neuro-psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alik S. Widge
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Picower Institute for Learning & Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Matthew Boggess
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexander P. Rockhill
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andrew Mullen
- Picower Institute for Learning & Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Shivani Sheopory
- Picower Institute for Learning & Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- College of Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Roman Loonis
- Picower Institute for Learning & Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daniel K. Freeman
- The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Earl K. Miller
- Picower Institute for Learning & Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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42
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Loffler BS, Stecher HI, Fudickar S, de Sordi D, Otto-Sobotka F, Hein A, Herrmann CS. Counteracting the Slowdown of Reaction Times in a Vigilance Experiment With 40-Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2018; 26:2053-2061. [PMID: 30207962 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2018.2869471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Indicators for a decrement in vigilance are a slowdown in reaction times and an increase in alpha power in the electroencephalogram in posterior regions of the brain. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a neuropsychological technique that has been found to interact with intrinsic brain oscillations and is able to enhance cognitive and behavioral performance. Recent studies show that tACS in the gamma frequency range (30-80 Hz) is able to downregulate amplitudes in the alpha frequency range (8-12 Hz), in accordance to the effect referred to as cross-frequency coupling, where intrinsic alpha and gamma waves modulate each other. We applied 40 Hz gamma-tACS to the visual cortex during a vigilance experiment and investigated if stimulation improves reaction times and error rates with time-on-task. In our sham controlled experiment, participants completed two blocks of 30 minutes duration while performing the same visual two-choice task. The first block was used as BASELINE. A statistical analysis with a linear mixed model revealed a significantly lower increase of modeled reaction times over time in the INTERVENTION-block of the tACS-group as compared with their BASELINE-block whereas there was no significant change between the BASELINE- and INTERVENTION-block for the SHAM-group. Error rates did not differ between groups. This paper indicates that gamma-tACS can enhance performance in vigilance tasks as it significantly decreased the slowdown of reaction times in our study.
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43
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Kurmann R, Gast H, Schindler K, Fröhlich F. Rational design of transcranial alternating current stimulation. CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/2514183x18793515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Kurmann
- Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center, Department of Neurology, InselSpital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Heidemarie Gast
- Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center, Department of Neurology, InselSpital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kaspar Schindler
- Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center, Department of Neurology, InselSpital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Flavio Fröhlich
- Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center, Department of Neurology, InselSpital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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44
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Gupta T, Kelley NJ, Pelletier-Baldelli A, Mittal VA. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Symptomatology, and Cognition in Psychosis: A Qualitative Review. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:94. [PMID: 29892215 PMCID: PMC5985327 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects approximately 1% of the population. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia typically exhibit positive (e.g., hallucinations) and negative symptoms (e.g., anhedonia) and impairments in cognitive function. Given the limitations of antipsychotic medication and psychotherapy in fully treating psychosis symptomatology, there has been increasing interest in other interventions such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, that is safe, cost-effective, and widely accessible. Here, we discuss treatment studies that seek to improve symptoms and cognitive performance in schizophrenia using tDCS. Currently within the literature, there is support for reductions in positive symptoms such as hallucinations after receiving tDCS. Further, studies indicate that tDCS can improve cognitive functioning, which is an area of investigation that is sorely needed, as it is unclear which types of interventions may be useful in ameliorating cognitive deficits among this group. Taken together, the evidence suggests that tDCS holds promise in improving symptoms and cognition. To that end, tDCS has critical clinical implications for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Nicholas J Kelley
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.,Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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45
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Kong QM, Qiao H, Liu CZ, Zhang P, Li K, Wang L, Li JT, Su Y, Li KQ, Yan CG, Mitchell PB, Si TM. Aberrant intrinsic functional connectivity in thalamo-cortical networks in major depressive disorder. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:1063-1072. [PMID: 29493113 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growing evidence has implicated dysfunction of the thalamus and its projection cortical targets in depression. However, the anatomical specificity of thalamo-cortical connectivity in major depressive disorder (MDD) remains unknown due to the regional heterogeneity of the thalamus and limited methods to examine this. METHODS Resting-state fMRI was collected on 70 MDD patients and 70 healthy controls. The thalamus was parcellated based on connectivity with six predefined cortical regions of interest (ROIs). The segmented thalamic nuclei were used as seeds to map connectivity with the rest of the whole brain. The cortical-to-thalamus connectivity values and thalamus-based connectivity maps were compared between groups. RESULTS The cortical ROIs demonstrated correlations with spatially distinct zones within the thalamus. We found a trend toward reduced parietal ROI-to-thalamus connectivity in MDD. Importantly, MDD patients demonstrated reduced connectivity between prefrontal and parietal thalamus ROIs and bilateral middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and the right posterior default mode network (DMN) and between the prefrontal and motor thalamus ROIs and lateral temporal regions. Conversely, increased connectivity emerged between the motor thalamus ROI and right MFG and right medial frontal gyrus/anterior cingulate; between motor/somatosensory thalamus ROIs and right posterior DMN; between prefrontal/somatosensory thalamus ROIs and cerebellum; and between the parietal thalamus ROI and left insula. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to examine the anatomical specificity of thalamo-cortical connectivity disturbances in MDD. Subjects with MDD demonstrated altered thalamo-cortical connectivity characterized by a complex pattern of region-dependent hypo- or hyperconnectivity. We therefore speculate that selectively modulating the connectivity of thalamo-cortical circuitry may be a potential novel therapeutic mechanism for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Mei Kong
- Peking University the Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Hong Qiao
- Peking University the Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Chao-Zhong Liu
- Peking University the Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- The Sixth Hospital of Hebei Province, Hebei, China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Radiology, 306 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Li Wang
- Peking University the Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Ji-Tao Li
- Peking University the Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yun'Ai Su
- Peking University the Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Ke-Qing Li
- The Sixth Hospital of Hebei Province, Hebei, China
| | - Chao-Gan Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
| | - Philip B Mitchell
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tian-Mei Si
- Peking University the Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders & Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
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Sheldon SS, Mathewson KE. Does 10-Hz Cathodal Oscillating Current of the Parieto-Occipital Lobe Modulate Target Detection? Front Neurosci 2018. [PMID: 29520215 PMCID: PMC5827548 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The phase of alpha (8–12 Hz) brain oscillations have been associated with moment to moment changes in visual attention and awareness. Previous work has demonstrated that endogenous oscillations and subsequent behavior can be modulated by oscillating transcranial current stimulation (otCS). The purpose of the current study is to establish the efficacy of cathodal otCS for modulation of the ongoing alpha brain oscillations, allowing for modulation of individual's visual perception. Thirty-six participants performed a target detection with sham and 10-Hz cathodal otCS. Each participant had two practice and two experimental sets composed of three blocks of 128 trials per block. Stimulating electrodes were placed on the participant's head with the anode electrode at Cz and the cathode electrode at Oz. A 0.5 mA current was applied every 100 ms (10 Hz frequency) during the otCS condition. The same current and frequency was applied for the first 10–20 s of the sham condition, after which the current was turned off. Target detection rates were compared between the sham and otCS experimental conditions in order to test for effects of otCS phase on target detection. We found no significant difference in target detection rates between the sham and otCS conditions, and discuss potential reasons for the apparent inability of cathodal otCS to effectively modulate visual perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Sheldon
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Kyle E Mathewson
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Abstract
Brain stimulation techniques can modulate cognitive functions in many neuropsychiatric diseases. Pilot studies have shown promising effects of brain stimulations on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain stimulations can be categorized into non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and invasive brain stimulation (IBS). IBS includes deep brain stimulation (DBS), and invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), whereas NIBS includes transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), electroconvulsive treatment (ECT), magnetic seizure therapy (MST), cranial electrostimulation (CES), and non-invasive VNS. We reviewed the cutting-edge research on these brain stimulation techniques and discussed their therapeutic effects on AD. Both IBS and NIBS may have potential to be developed as novel treatments for AD; however, mixed findings may result from different study designs, patients selection, population, or samples sizes. Therefore, the efficacy of NIBS and IBS in AD remains uncertain, and needs to be further investigated. Moreover, more standardized study designs with larger sample sizes and longitudinal follow-up are warranted for establishing a structural guide for future studies and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hung Chang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry & Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry & Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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48
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49
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Thut G, Bergmann TO, Fröhlich F, Soekadar SR, Brittain JS, Valero-Cabré A, Sack AT, Miniussi C, Antal A, Siebner HR, Ziemann U, Herrmann CS. Guiding transcranial brain stimulation by EEG/MEG to interact with ongoing brain activity and associated functions: A position paper. Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 128:843-857. [PMID: 28233641 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation (NTBS) techniques have a wide range of applications but also suffer from a number of limitations mainly related to poor specificity of intervention and variable effect size. These limitations motivated recent efforts to focus on the temporal dimension of NTBS with respect to the ongoing brain activity. Temporal patterns of ongoing neuronal activity, in particular brain oscillations and their fluctuations, can be traced with electro- or magnetoencephalography (EEG/MEG), to guide the timing as well as the stimulation settings of NTBS. These novel, online and offline EEG/MEG-guided NTBS-approaches are tailored to specifically interact with the underlying brain activity. Online EEG/MEG has been used to guide the timing of NTBS (i.e., when to stimulate): by taking into account instantaneous phase or power of oscillatory brain activity, NTBS can be aligned to fluctuations in excitability states. Moreover, offline EEG/MEG recordings prior to interventions can inform researchers and clinicians how to stimulate: by frequency-tuning NTBS to the oscillation of interest, intrinsic brain oscillations can be up- or down-regulated. In this paper, we provide an overview of existing approaches and ideas of EEG/MEG-guided interventions, and their promises and caveats. We point out potential future lines of research to address challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Thut
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Til Ole Bergmann
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Flavio Fröhlich
- Department of Psychiatry & Department of Biomedical Engineering & Department of Cell Biology and Physiology & Neuroscience Center & Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Surjo R Soekadar
- Applied Neurotechnology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy & MEG Center, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - John-Stuart Brittain
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Charles Wolfson Neuroscience Clinical Research Facility, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Antoni Valero-Cabré
- Cerebral Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, Frontlab, Institut du Cerveau et la Moelle (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225-INSERM U-117, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Alexander T Sack
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Carlo Miniussi
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences CIMeC University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy & Cognitive Neuroscience Section, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Antal
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hartwig Roman Siebner
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Center for Excellence "Hearing4all", European Medical School, Carl von Ossietzky University & Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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50
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Helfrich RF, Knight RT. Oscillatory Dynamics of Prefrontal Cognitive Control. Trends Cogn Sci 2016; 20:916-930. [PMID: 27743685 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) provides the structural basis for numerous higher cognitive functions. However, it is still largely unknown which mechanisms provide the functional basis for flexible cognitive control of goal-directed behavior. Here, we review recent findings that suggest that the functional architecture of cognition is profoundly rhythmic and propose that the PFC serves as a conductor to orchestrate task-relevant large-scale networks. We highlight several studies that demonstrated that oscillatory dynamics, such as phase resetting, cross-frequency coupling (CFC), and entrainment, support PFC-dependent recruitment of task-relevant regions into coherent functional networks. Importantly, these findings support the notion that distinct spectral signatures reflect different cortical computations supporting effective multiplexing on different temporal channels along the same anatomical pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randolph F Helfrich
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, UC Berkeley, 132 Barker Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Forskningsveien 3A, 0373 Oslo, Norway; Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Robert T Knight
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, UC Berkeley, 132 Barker Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Psychology, UC Berkeley, Tolman Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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