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Seo J, Lee J, Min BK. Out-of-phase transcranial alternating current stimulation modulates the neurodynamics of inhibitory control. Neuroimage 2024; 292:120612. [PMID: 38648868 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is an efficient neuromodulation technique that enhances cognitive function in a non-invasive manner. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated whether tACS with different phase lags (0° and 180°) between the dorsal anterior cingulate and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices modulated inhibitory control performance during the Stroop task. We found out-of-phase tACS mediated improvements in task performance, which was neurodynamically reflected as putamen, dorsolateral prefrontal, and primary motor cortical activation as well as prefrontal-based top-down functional connectivity. Our observations uncover the neurophysiological bases of tACS-phase-dependent neuromodulation and provide a feasible non-invasive approach to effectively modulate inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeehye Seo
- Institute of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; BK21 Four Institute of Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jehyeop Lee
- BK21 Four Institute of Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Byoung-Kyong Min
- Institute of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; BK21 Four Institute of Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.
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Fang Z, Sack AT, Leunissen I. The phase of tACS-entrained pre-SMA beta oscillations modulates motor inhibition. Neuroimage 2024; 290:120572. [PMID: 38490584 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory control has been linked to beta oscillations in the fronto-basal ganglia network. Here we aim to investigate the functional role of the phase of this oscillatory beta rhythm for successful motor inhibition. We applied 20 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) while presenting stop signals at 4 (Experiment 1) and 8 (Experiment 2) equidistant phases of the tACS entrained beta oscillations. Participants showed better inhibitory performance when stop signals were presented at the trough of the beta oscillation whereas their inhibitory control performance decreased with stop signals being presented at the oscillatory beta peak. These results are consistent with the communication through coherence theory, in which postsynaptic effects are thought to be greater when an input arrives at an optimal phase within the oscillatory cycle of the target neuronal population. The current study provides mechanistic insights into the neural communication principles underlying successful motor inhibition and may have implications for phase-specific interventions aimed at treating inhibitory control disorders such as PD or OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Fang
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229EV, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander T Sack
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229EV, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Leunissen
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229EV, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Libri I, Cantoni V, Benussi A, Rivolta J, Ferrari C, Fancellu R, Synofzik M, Alberici A, Padovani A, Borroni B. Comparing Cerebellar tDCS and Cerebellar tACS in Neurodegenerative Ataxias Using Wearable Sensors: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled, Triple-Crossover Trial. Cerebellum 2024; 23:570-578. [PMID: 37349632 PMCID: PMC10951038 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) represents a promising therapeutic approach for both motor and cognitive symptoms in neurodegenerative ataxias. Recently, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) was also demonstrated to modulate cerebellar excitability by neuronal entrainment. To compare the effectiveness of cerebellar tDCS vs. cerebellar tACS in patients with neurodegenerative ataxia, we performed a double-blind, randomized, sham controlled, triple cross-over trial with cerebellar tDCS, cerebellar tACS or sham stimulation in twenty-six participants with neurodegenerative ataxia. Before entering the study, each participant underwent motor assessment with wearable sensors considering gait cadence (steps/minute), turn velocity (degrees/second) and turn duration (seconds), and a clinical evaluation with the scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). After each intervention, participants underwent the same clinical assessment along with cerebellar inhibition (CBI) measurement, a marker of cerebellar activity. The gait cadence, turn velocity, SARA, and ICARS significantly improved after both tDCS and tACS, compared to sham stimulation (all p<0.010). Comparable effects were observed for CBI (p<0.001). Overall, tDCS significantly outperformed tACS on clinical scales and CBI (p<0.01). A significant correlation between changes of wearable sensors parameters from baseline and changes of clinical scales and CBI scores was detected. Cerebellar tDCS and cerebellar tACS are effective in ameliorating symptoms of neurodegenerative ataxias, with the former being more beneficial than the latter. Wearable sensors may serve as rater-unbiased outcome measures in future clinical trials. ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT05621200.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Libri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Cantoni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - 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
| | - Jasmine Rivolta
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Camilla Ferrari
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberto Fancellu
- UO Neurologia, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Centre of Neurology, Tübingen, Germany
- German Research Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Antonella Alberici
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - 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
| | - 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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Zhang HY, Hou TT, Jin ZH, Zhang T, Wang YH, Cheng ZH, Liu YH, Fang JP, Yan HJ, Zhen Y, An X, Du J, Chen KK, Li ZZ, Li Q, Wen QP, Fang BY. Transcranial alternating current stimulation improves quality of life in Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:200. [PMID: 38509589 PMCID: PMC10953283 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08045-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neural cells in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease (PWP) display aberrant synchronized oscillatory activity within the beta frequency range. Additionally, enhanced gamma oscillations may serve as a compensatory mechanism for motor inhibition mediated by beta activity and also reinstate plasticity in the primary motor cortex affected by Parkinson's disease. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can synchronize endogenous oscillations with exogenous rhythms, thereby modulating cortical activity. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the addition of tACS to multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment (MIRT) can improve symptoms of PWP so as to enhance the quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease based on the central-peripheral-central theory. METHODS The present study was a randomized, double-blind trial that enrolled 60 individuals with Parkinson's disease aged between 45 and 70 years, who had Hoehn-Yahr scale scores ranging from 1 to 3. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the tACS + MIRT group or the sham-tACS + MIRT group. The trial consisted of a two-week double-blind treatment period followed by a 24-week follow-up period, resulting in a total duration of twenty-six weeks. The primary outcome measured the change in PDQ-39 scores from baseline (T0) to 4 weeks (T2), 12 weeks (T3), and 24 weeks (T4) after completion of the intervention. The secondary outcome assessed changes in MDS-UPDRS III scores at T0, the end of intervention (T1), T2, T3, and T4. Additional clinical assessments and mechanistic studies were conducted as tertiary outcomes. DISCUSSION The objective of this study is to demonstrate that tACS can enhance overall functionality and improve quality of life in PWP, based on the framework of MIRT. Additionally, it seeks to establish a potential correlation between these therapeutic effects and neuroplasticity alterations in relevant brain regions. The efficacy of tACS will be assessed during the follow-up period in order to optimize neuroplasticity and enhance its potential impact on rehabilitation efficiency for PWP. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300071969. Registered on 30 May 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yu Zhang
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting-Ting Hou
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Jin
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Heng Wang
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Hao Cheng
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hong Liu
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Jin-Ping Fang
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Hong-Jiao Yan
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Yi Zhen
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Xia An
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Jia Du
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Ke-Ke Chen
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Li
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Qing Li
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Qi-Ping Wen
- Radiology Department, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China
| | - Bo-Yan Fang
- Parkinson Medical Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Badachu, Xixiazhuang, Shijingshan District, Bejing, 100144, China.
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Shiga K, Miyaguchi S, Inukai Y, Otsuru N, Onishi H. Transcranial alternating current stimulation does not affect microscale learning. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114770. [PMID: 37984522 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
A theory has been posited that microscale learning, which involves short intervals of a few seconds during explicit motor skill learning, considerably enhances performance. This phenomenon correlates with diminished beta-band activity in the frontal and parietal regions. However, there is a lack of neurophysiological studies regarding the relationship between microscale learning and implicit motor skill learning. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) during short rest periods on microscale learning in an implicit motor task. We investigated the effects of 20-Hz β-tACS delivered during short rest periods while participants performed an implicit motor task. In Experiments 1 and 2, β-tACS targeted the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the right frontoparietal network, respectively. The participants performed a finger-tapping task using their nondominant left hand, and microscale learning was separately analyzed for micro-online gains (MOnGs) and micro-offline gains (MOffGs). Contrary to our expectations, β-tACS exhibited no statistically significant effects on MOnGs or MOffGs in either Experiment 1 or Experiment 2. In addition, microscale learning during the performance of the implicit motor task was improved by MOffGs in the early learning phase and by MOnGs in the late learning phase. These results revealed that the stimulation protocol employed in this study did not affect microscale learning, indicating a novel aspect of microscale learning in implicit motor tasks. This is the first study to examine microscale learning in implicit motor tasks and may provide baseline information that will be useful in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyosuke Shiga
- Graduate School, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan.
| | - Shota Miyaguchi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Yasuto Inukai
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Naofumi Otsuru
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
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Davidson B, Bhattacharya A, Sarica C, Darmani G, Raies N, Chen R, Lozano AM. Neuromodulation techniques - From non-invasive brain stimulation to deep brain stimulation. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00330. [PMID: 38340524 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past 30 years, the field of neuromodulation has witnessed remarkable advancements. These developments encompass a spectrum of techniques, both non-invasive and invasive, that possess the ability to both probe and influence the central nervous system. In many cases neuromodulation therapies have been adopted into standard care treatments. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) are the most common non-invasive methods in use today. Deep brain stimulation (DBS), spinal cord stimulation (SCS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), are leading surgical methods for neuromodulation. Ongoing active clinical trials using are uncovering novel applications and paradigms for these interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Davidson
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Can Sarica
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ghazaleh Darmani
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nasem Raies
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Chen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Zhu X, Ren Y, Tan S, Ma X. Efficacy of transcranial alternating current stimulation in treating chronic insomnia and the impact of age on its effectiveness: A multisite randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 170:253-261. [PMID: 38176353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Insomnia is a significant health issue associated with various systemic diseases. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has been proposed as a potential intervention for insomnia. However, the efficacy and mechanisms of tACS in chronic insomnia remain unclear. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of tACS in treating chronic insomnia in adults and assess the impact of age on its effectiveness using a large sample from two centers. METHODS A total of 120 participants with chronic insomnia underwent 20 daily sessions of tACS (duration: 40 min, frequency: 77.5 Hz, and intensity: 15 mA) or sham tACS targeting the forehead and both mastoid areas over 4 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and 4-week follow-up. Primary outcomes included sleep quality and efficiency, onset latency, total sleep time, and daily disturbances. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, and clinical impression. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the tACS group demonstrated improved sleep quality and efficiency, increased total sleep time, and reduced daily disturbance (all ps < 0.01). Moreover, tACS had a significant effect on clinical impression (p < 0.001), but not depression and anxiety scores. Subgroup analyses revealed that older participants experienced significant benefits from tACS in sleep quality, efficiency, and overall insomnia reduction at post-treatment and follow-up (p < 0.001). Notably, improved insomnia correlated with attenuated depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that tACS may be an effective intervention for chronic insomnia within an eight-week timeframe, and age affects the response to tACS in terms of insomnia improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Zhu
- Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Yanping Ren
- Being An-ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Deshengmenwai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China
| | - Shuping Tan
- Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing, 100096, China.
| | - Xin Ma
- Being An-ding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Deshengmenwai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China.
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Fusco G, Scandola M, Lin H, Inzlicht M, Aglioti SM. Modulating preferences during intertemporal choices through exogenous midfrontal transcranial alternating current stimulation: A registered report. Cortex 2024; 171:435-464. [PMID: 38113613 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Decision conflicts may arise when the costs and benefits of choices are evaluated as a function of outcomes predicted along a temporal dimension. Electrophysiology studies suggest that during performance monitoring a typical oscillatory activity in the theta rhythm, named midfrontal theta, may index conflict processing and resolution. In the present within-subject, sham controlled, cross-over preregistered study, we delivered online midfrontal transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) to modulate electrocortical activity during intertemporal decisions. Participants were invited to select choice preference between economic offers at three different intermixed levels of conflict (i.e., low, medium, high) while receiving either theta -, gamma-, or sham tACS in separate blocks and sessions. At the end of each stimulation block, a Letter-Flanker task was also administered to measure behavioural aftereffects. We hypothesized that theta-tACS would have acted on the performance monitoring system inducing behavioural changes (i.e., faster decisions and more impulsive choices) in high conflicting trials, rather than gamma- and sham-tACS. Results very partially confirmed our predictions. Unexpectedly, both theta- and gamma-driven neuromodulation speeded-up decisions compared to sham. However, exploratory analyses revealed that such an effect was stronger in the high-conflict decisions during theta-tACS. These findings were independent from the influence of the sensations induced by the electrical stimulation. Moreover, further analyses highlighted a significant association during theta-tACS between the selection of immediate offers in high-conflict trials and attentional impulsiveness, suggesting that individual factors may account for the tACS effects during intertemporal decisions. Finally, we did not capture long-lasting behavioural changes following tACS in the Flanker task. Our findings may inform scholars to improve experimental designs and boost the knowledge toward a more effective application of tACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Fusco
- Sapienza University of Rome and CLNS@SAPIENZA, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
| | - Michele Scandola
- NPSY Lab-Vr, Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Hause Lin
- Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael Inzlicht
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Salvatore Maria Aglioti
- Sapienza University of Rome and CLNS@SAPIENZA, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Lai MH, Yu XM, Lu Y, Wang HL, Fu W, Zhou HX, Li YL, Hu J, Xia J, Hu Z, Shan CL, Wang F, Wang C. Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:97. [PMID: 38291500 PMCID: PMC10826150 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-07913-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has proven to be an effective treatment for improving cognition, a crucial factor in motor learning. However, current studies are predominantly focused on the motor cortex, and the potential brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects are still unclear. Given the interconnected nature of motor learning within the brain network, we have proposed a novel approach known as multi-target tACS. This study aims to ascertain whether multi-target tACS is more effective than single-target stimulation in stroke patients and to further explore the potential underlying brain mechanisms by using techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS This study employs a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial design with a 2-week intervention period. Both participants and outcome assessors will remain unaware of treatment allocation throughout the study. Thirty-nine stroke patients will be recruited and randomized into three distinct groups, including the sham tACS group (SS group), the single-target tACS group (ST group), and the multi-target tACS group (MT group), at a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary outcomes are series reaction time tests (SRTTs) combined with electroencephalograms (EEGs). The secondary outcomes include motor evoked potential (MEP), central motor conduction time (CMCT), short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Box and Block Test (BBT), and blood sample RNA sequencing. The tACS interventions for all three groups will be administered over a 2-week period, with outcome assessments conducted at baseline (T0) and 1 day (T1), 7 days (T2), and 14 days (T3) of the intervention phase. DISCUSSION The study's findings will determine the potential of 40-Hz tACS to improve motor learning in stroke patients. Additionally, it will compare the effectiveness of multi-target and single-target approaches, shedding light on their respective improvement effects. Through the utilization of techniques such as TMS and MRI, the study aims to uncover the underlying brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic impact. Furthermore, the intervention has the potential to facilitate motor learning efficiency, thereby contributing to the advancement of future stroke rehabilitation treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300073465. Registered on 11 July 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hui Lai
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Hong-Lin Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Wang Fu
- Department of Neurology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Huan-Xia Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Yuan-Li Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jun Hu
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, 200435, China
| | - Jiayi Xia
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, 200435, China
| | - Zekai Hu
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, 200435, China
| | - Chun-Lei Shan
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Datong Rd. 358, Shanghai, 200137, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, 200435, China.
- Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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Meng Q, Zhu Y, Yuan Y, Liu J, Ye L, Kong W, Yan C, Liang Z, Yang F, Wang K, Bu J. A novel approach to modulating response inhibition: Multi-channel beta transcranial alternating current stimulation. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 91:103872. [PMID: 38159441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in response inhibition are associated with numerous psychiatric disorders. Previous studies have revealed the crucial role of the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG), pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA), and beta activity in these brain regions in response inhibition. Multi-channel transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has garnered significant attention for its ability to modulate neural oscillations in brain networks. In this study, we employed multi-channel tACS targeting rIFG-preSMA network to investigate its impact on response inhibition in healthy adults. METHODS In Experiment 1, 70 healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 Hz in-phase, anti-phase, or sham stimulation over rIFG-preSMA network. Response inhibition was assessed using the stop-signal task during and after stimulation, and impulsiveness was measured via the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Additionally, 25 participants received stimulation at the left supraorbital area to account for potential effects of the "return" electrode. Experiment 2, consisting of 25 participants, was conducted to validate the primary findings of Experiment 1, including both in-phase and sham stimulation conditions, based on prior estimations derived from the results of Experiment 1. RESULTS In Experiment 1, we found that in-phase stimulation significantly improved response inhibition compared with sham stimulation, whereas anti-phase stimulation did not. These findings were consistently replicated in Experiment 2. We also conducted an exploratory analysis of the multi-channel tACS impact, revealing that its effects primarily emerged during the post-stimulation phase. Furthermore, individuals with higher baseline attentional impulsiveness showed greater improvements in the in-phase stimulation group. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that in-phase beta-tACS over rIFG-preSMA network can effectively improve response inhibition in healthy adults and provides a new potential treatment for patients with deficits in response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujian Meng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jiafang Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lin Ye
- Department of Psychology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Weimin Kong
- People's Hospital of Lujiang County, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chenxi Yan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhen Liang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fei Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Junjie Bu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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11
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Fujiyama H, Williams A, Tan J, Levin O, Hinder MR. Comparison of online and offline applications of dual-site transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) and right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) for improving response inhibition. Neuropsychologia 2023; 191:108737. [PMID: 37995902 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is thought to be brain state-dependent, such that tACS during task performance would be hypothesised to offer greater potential for improving performance compared to tACS at rest. However, to date, no empirical study has tested this postulation. The current study compared the effects of dual-site beta tACS applied during a stop signal task (online) to the effects of the same tACS protocol applied prior to the task (offline) and a sham control stimulation in 53 young, healthy adults (32 female; 18-35 yrs). The right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) and centre (midline) of the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA), which are thought to play critical roles in action cancellation, were simultaneously stimulated, sending phase-synchronised stimulation for 15 min with the aim of increasing functional connectivity. The offline group showed significant within-group improvement in response inhibition without showing overt task-related changes in functional connectivity measured with EEG connectivity analysis, suggesting offline tACS is efficacious in inducing behavioural changes potentially via a post-stimulation early plasticity mechanism. In contrast, neither the online nor sham group showed significant improvements in response inhibition. However, EEG connectivity analysis revealed significantly increased task-related functional connectivity following online stimulation and a medium effect size observed in correlation analyses suggested that an increase in functional connectivity in the beta band at rest was potentially associated with an improvement in response inhibition. Overall, the results indicate that both online and offline dual-site beta tACS can be beneficial in improving inhibitory control via distinct underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakuei Fujiyama
- School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia.
| | | | - Jane Tan
- School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Oron Levin
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania; Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mark R Hinder
- Sensorimotor Neuroscience and Ageing Research Group, School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
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12
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Hsu WY, Zanto T, Park JE, Gazzaley A, Bove RM. Effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 80:105090. [PMID: 37925960 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a core symptom that profoundly impacts the lives of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Since the existing disease modifying therapies can only stabilize, but not actively treat, cognition in PwMS, there is an unmet need to expand approaches to treat these cognitive symptoms. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) permits frequency-specific entrainment of neural oscillations intrinsic to cognitive activity. However, the effects of the tACS on cognitive function in PwMS have not yet been assessed. We aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy of applying frontal theta-tACS to improve information processing speed in PwMS. METHODS 60 PwMS with cognitive complaints were enrolled in a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial with three stimulation groups: 2 mA, 1 mA, or sham control. A single session of theta-tACS was applied while participants were engaged in a cognitive program which has shown to improve processing speed in PwMS. tACS effects were examined by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Tolerability, side effects and acceptability were measured. RESULTS 1 mA groups had a significantly higher SDMT score after stimulation compared to their pre-stimulation score, 2 mA group showed a marginally significant improvement of their SDMT score, while the SDMT score in the sham group did not change. Overall, 49% of the stimulation group participants showed a clinically meaningful SDMT improvement (4+-point increase). CONCLUSION tACS is a well-tolerated, non-pharmacological intervention. Based on the positive effects observed in the current study of a single session of tACS applied during cognitive engagement, the effects of repeated tACS on cognitive function in PwMS merit further research. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04466228.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Yu Hsu
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, 1651 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Theodore Zanto
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, 1651 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Neuroscape, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jee Eun Park
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, 1651 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Neuroscape, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Adam Gazzaley
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, 1651 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Neuroscape, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Riley M Bove
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, 1651 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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13
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Rufener KS, Zaehle T, Krauel K. Combined multi-session transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and language skills training improves individual gamma band activity and literacy skills in developmental dyslexia. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 64:101317. [PMID: 37898018 PMCID: PMC10630593 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental dyslexia is characterized by the pathologically diminished ability to acquire reading and spelling skills. Accurate processing of acoustic information at the phonemic scale is crucial for successful sound-to-letter-mapping which, in turn, is elemental in reading and spelling. Altered activation patterns in the auditory cortex are thought to provide the neurophysiological basis for the inaccurate phonemic perception. Recently, transcranial electrical stimulation has been shown to be an effective method to ameliorate cortical activation patterns in the auditory cortex. In a sample of children and adolescents with dyslexia, we investigated the effect of multi-session transcranial alternating current stimulation delivered concurrently with a phonological training and in combination with a behavioral literacy skills training. Over a 5-week period the participants received 10 training sessions while gamma-tACS was administered over bilateral auditory cortex. We found that gamma-tACS shifted the peak frequency of auditory gamma oscillations reflecting a more fine-grained processing of time-critical acoustic information. This amelioration was accompanied by increased phonemic processing skills. Moreover, individuals who received gamma-tACS showed significant improvements in their spelling skills four months after the intervention. Our results demonstrate that multi-session gamma-tACS enhances the effects of a behavioral intervention and induces long-term improvement on literacy skills in dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina S Rufener
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany; DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), partner site Halle-Jena, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Medical Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany; DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), partner site Halle-Jena, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Krauel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany; DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), partner site Halle-Jena, Magdeburg, Germany
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14
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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15
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Feng T, Zhang L, Wu Y, Tang L, Chen X, Li Y, Shan C. Exploring the Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Improving Walking Ability in Stroke Patients via Modulating Cerebellar Gamma Frequency Band-a Narrative Review. Cerebellum 2023:10.1007/s12311-023-01632-3. [PMID: 37962773 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01632-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum plays an important role in maintaining balance, posture control, muscle tone, and lower limb coordination in healthy individuals and stroke patients. At the same time, the relationship between cerebellum and motor learning has been widely concerned in recent years. Due to the relatively intact structure preservation and high plasticity after supratentorial stroke, non-invasive neuromodulation targeting the cerebellum is increasingly used to treat abnormal gait in stroke patients. The gamma frequency of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is commonly used to improve motor learning. It is an essential endogenous EEG oscillation in the gamma range during the swing phase, and rhythmic movement changes in the gait cycle. However, the effect of cerebellar tACS in the gamma frequency band on balance and walking after stroke remains unknown and requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingyi Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lichao Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuwei Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xixi Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanli Li
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlei Shan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Institute of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Benelli A, Neri F, Cinti A, Pasqualetti P, Romanella SM, Giannotta A, De Monte D, Mandalà M, Smeralda C, Prattichizzo D, Santarnecchi E, Rossi S. Frequency-Dependent Reduction of Cybersickness in Virtual Reality by Transcranial Oscillatory Stimulation of the Vestibular Cortex. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1796-1807. [PMID: 37721646 PMCID: PMC10684476 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) applications are pervasive of everyday life, as in working, medical, and entertainment scenarios. There is yet no solution to cybersickness (CS), a disabling vestibular syndrome with nausea, dizziness, and general discomfort that most of VR users undergo, which results from an integration mismatch among visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular information. In a double-blind, controlled trial, we propose an innovative treatment for CS, consisting of online oscillatory imperceptible neuromodulation with transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at 10 Hz, biophysically modelled to reach the vestibular cortex bilaterally. tACS significantly reduced CS nausea in 37 healthy subjects during a VR rollercoaster experience. The effect was frequency-dependent and placebo-insensitive. Subjective benefits were paralleled by galvanic skin response modulation in 25 subjects, addressing neurovegetative activity. Besides confirming the role of transcranially delivered oscillations in physiologically tuning the vestibular system function (and dysfunction), results open a new way to facilitate the use of VR in different scenarios and possibly to help treating also other vestibular dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benelli
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Neri
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cinti
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Sara M Romanella
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandro Giannotta
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - David De Monte
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Mandalà
- Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Otolaryngology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Carmelo Smeralda
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Domenico Prattichizzo
- Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Siena Robotics and Systems (SiRS) Lab, Department of Information Engineering and Mathematics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Simone Rossi
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
- Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Lee S, Shirinpour S, Alekseichuk I, Perera N, Linn G, Schroeder CE, Falchier AY, Opitz A. Predicting the phase distribution during multi-channel transcranial alternating current stimulation in silico and in vivo. Comput Biol Med 2023; 166:107516. [PMID: 37769460 PMCID: PMC10955626 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a widely used noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique to affect neural activity. TACS experiments have been coupled with computational simulations to predict the electromagnetic fields within the brain. However, existing simulations are focused on the magnitude of the field. As the possibility of inducing the phase gradient in the brain using multiple tACS electrodes arises, a simulation framework is necessary to investigate and predict the phase gradient of electric fields during multi-channel tACS. OBJECTIVE Here, we develop such a framework for phasor simulation using phasor algebra and evaluate its accuracy using in vivo recordings in monkeys. METHODS We extract the phase and amplitude of electric fields from intracranial recordings in two monkeys during multi-channel tACS and compare them to those calculated by phasor analysis using finite element models. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate that simulated phases correspond well to measured phases (r = 0.9). Further, we systematically evaluated the impact of accurate electrode placement on modeling and data agreement. Finally, our framework can predict the amplitude distribution in measurements given calibrated tissues' conductivity. CONCLUSIONS Our validated general framework for simulating multi-phase, multi-electrode tACS provides a streamlined tool for principled planning of multi-channel tACS experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangjun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, MN, USA.
| | - Sina Shirinpour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
| | - Ivan Alekseichuk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
| | - Nipun Perera
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
| | - Gary Linn
- Translational Neuroscience Lab Division, Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Charles E Schroeder
- Translational Neuroscience Lab Division, Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Departments of Neurological Surgery and Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY, USA
| | - Arnaud Y Falchier
- Translational Neuroscience Lab Division, Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Opitz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, MN, USA.
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18
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Rossi S, Cinti A, Viberti F, Benelli A, Neri F, De Monte D, Giannotta A, Romanella S, Smeralda C, Donniacuo A, Prattichizzo D, Pasqualetti P, Santarnecchi E, Mandalà M. Frequency-dependent tuning of the human vestibular "sixth sense" by transcranial oscillatory currents. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 153:123-132. [PMID: 37481873 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The vestibular cortex is a multisensory associative region that, in neuroimaging investigations, is activated by slow-frequency (1-2 Hz) galvanic stimulation of peripheral receptors. We aimed to directly activate the vestibular cortex with biophysically modeled transcranial oscillatory current stimulation (tACS) in the same frequency range. METHODS Thirty healthy subjects and one rare patient with chronic bilateral vestibular deafferentation underwent, in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, to tACS at slow (1 or 2 Hz) or higher (10 Hz) frequency and sham stimulations, over the Parieto-Insular Vestibular Cortex (PIVC), while standing on a stabilometric platform. Subjective symptoms of motion sickness were scored by Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and subjects' postural sways were monitored on the platform. RESULTS tACS at 1 and 2 Hz induced symptoms of motion sickness, oscillopsia and postural instability, that were supported by posturographic sway recordings. Both 10 Hz-tACS and sham stimulation on the vestibular cortex did not affect vestibular function. As these effects persisted in a rare patient with bilateral peripheral vestibular areflexia documented by the absence of the Vestibular-Ocular Reflex, the possibility of a current spread toward peripheral afferents is unlikely. Conversely, the 10 Hz-tACS significantly reduced his chronic vestibular symptoms in this patient. CONCLUSIONS Weak electrical oscillations in a frequency range corresponding to the physiological cortical activity of the vestibular system may generate motion sickness and postural sways, both in healthy subjects and in the case of bilateral vestibular deafferentation. SIGNIFICANCE This should be taken into account as a new side effect of tACS in future studies addressing cognitive functions. Higher frequencies of stimulation applied to the vestibular cortex may represent a new interventional option to reduce motion sickness in different scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Rossi
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy; Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Cinti
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Viberti
- Otolaryngology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Alberto Benelli
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Neri
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy; Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Italy
| | - David De Monte
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giannotta
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Romanella
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Carmelo Smeralda
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Aniello Donniacuo
- Otolaryngology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Domenico Prattichizzo
- Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Italy; Siena Robotics and Systems (SiRS) Lab, Department of Information Engineering and Mathematics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marco Mandalà
- Oto-Neuro-Tech Conjoined Lab, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Italy; Otolaryngology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
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19
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Olivier C, Lamy JC, Kosutzka Z, Van Hamme A, Cherif S, Lau B, Vidailhet M, Karachi C, Welter ML. Cerebellar Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Essential Tremor Patients with Thalamic Stimulation: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1109-1119. [PMID: 37097344 PMCID: PMC10457262 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is a disabling condition resulting from a dysfunction of cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuitry. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) or lesion of the ventral-intermediate thalamic nucleus (VIM) is an effective treatment for severe ET. Transcranial cerebellar brain stimulation has recently emerged as a non-invasive potential therapeutic option. Here, we aim to investigate the effects of high-frequency non-invasive cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in severe ET patients already operated for VIM-DBS. Eleven ET patients with VIM-DBS, and 10 ET patients without VIM-DBS and matched for tremor severity, were included in this double-blind proof-of-concept controlled study. All patients received unilateral cerebellar sham-tACS and active-tACS for 10 min. Tremor severity was blindly assessed at baseline, without VIM-DBS, during sham-tACS, during and at 0, 20, 40 min after active-tACS, using kinetic recordings during holding posture and action ('nose-to-target') task and videorecorded Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) clinical scales. In the VIM-DBS group, active-tACS significantly improved both postural and action tremor amplitude and clinical (FTM scales) severity, relative to baseline, whereas sham-tACS did not, with a predominant effect for the ipsilateral arm. Tremor amplitude and clinical severity were also not significantly different between ON VIM-DBS and active-tACS conditions. In the non-VIM-DBS group, we also observed significant improvements in ipsilateral action tremor amplitude, and clinical severity after cerebellar active-tACS, with a trend for improved postural tremor amplitude. In non-VIM-DBS group, sham- active-tACS also decreased clinical scores. These data support the safety and potential efficacy of high-frequency cerebellar-tACS to reduce ET amplitude and severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Olivier
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
- PANAM Core Facility, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Charles Lamy
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
- PANAM Core Facility, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, Paris, France
- Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Hôpital Salpetriere, DMU Neuroscience 6, Paris, France
| | - Zuzana Kosutzka
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
- Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Hôpital Salpetriere, DMU Neuroscience 6, Paris, France
| | - Angèle Van Hamme
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
- PANAM Core Facility, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, Paris, France
| | - Saoussen Cherif
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Brian Lau
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Marie Vidailhet
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
- Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Hôpital Salpetriere, DMU Neuroscience 6, Paris, France
| | - Carine Karachi
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
- Department of Neurosurgery, AP-HP, Hôpital Salpetriere, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Laure Welter
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 47 Bd de L'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.
- PANAM Core Facility, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, Paris, France.
- Clinical Investigation Center, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France.
- Department of Neurophysiology, Rouen University Hospital, University of Rouen, Rouen, France.
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20
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Lyzhko E, Peter SE, Nees F, Siniatchkin M, Moliadze V. Offline 20 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation over the right inferior frontal gyrus increases theta activity during a motor response inhibition task. Neurophysiol Clin 2023; 53:102887. [PMID: 37355398 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2023.102887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have shown that the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) and the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) play an important role in motor inhibitory control. The aim of the study was to use theta frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to modulate brain activity in the rIFG and preSMA and to test the effects of stimulation using a motor response inhibition task. METHODS In four sessions, 20 healthy participants received tACS at 6 Hz over preSMA or rIFG, or 20 Hz over rIFG (to test frequency specificity), or sham stimulation before task processing. After each type of stimulation, the participants performed the Go/NoGo task with simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. RESULTS By stimulating rIFG and preSMA with 6 Hz tACS, we were not able to modulate either behavioral performance nor the EEG correlate. Interestingly, 20 Hz tACS over the rIFG significantly increased theta activity, however without behavioral effects. This increased theta activity did not coincide with the stimulation area and was localized in the fronto-central and centro-parietal areas. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of a control frequency is crucial to test for frequency specificity. Our findings are in accordance with previous studies showing that after effects of tACS are not restricted to the stimulation frequency but can also occur in other frequency bands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Lyzhko
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany; Department of Neuropediatrics, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefanie E Peter
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael Siniatchkin
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany; University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital OWL, University of Bielefeld, Campus Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Vera Moliadze
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany.
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21
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Davis MC, Hill AT, Fitzgerald PB, Bailey NW, Sullivan C, Stout JC, Hoy KE. Medial prefrontal transcranial alternating current stimulation for apathy in Huntington's disease. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 126:110776. [PMID: 37120005 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) targeted to the bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and administered at either delta or alpha frequencies, on brain activity and apathy in people with Huntington's disease (HD) (n = 17). Given the novelty of the protocol, neurotypical controls (n = 20) were also recruited. All participants underwent three 20-min sessions of tACS; one session at alpha frequency (Individualised Alpha Frequency (IAF), or 10 Hz when an IAF was not detected); one session at delta frequency (2 Hz); and a session of sham tACS. Participants completed the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task with simultaneous recording of EEG immediately before and after each tACS condition. The MID task presents participants with cues signalling potential monetary gains or losses that increase activity in key regions of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical networks, with dysfunction of the latter network being implicated in the pathophysiology of apathy. We used the P300 and Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) event-related potentials elicited during the MID task as markers of mPFC engagement. HD participants' CNV amplitude significantly increased in response to alpha-tACS, but not delta-tACS or sham. Neurotypical controls' P300 and CNV were not modulated by any of the tACS conditions, but they did demonstrate a significant decrease in post-target response times following alpha-tACS. We present this as preliminary evidence of the ability of alpha-tACS to modulate brain activity associated with apathy in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claire Davis
- Central Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Statewide Progressive Neurological Disease Service, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Aron T Hill
- Central Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul B Fitzgerald
- Central Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Neil W Bailey
- Central Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Monarch Research Institute Monarch Mental Health Group, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Caley Sullivan
- Central Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie C Stout
- School of Psychological Sciences, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate E Hoy
- Central Clinical School, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; The Bionics Institute of Australia, 384-388 Albert St, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
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22
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McAleer J, Stewart L, Shepard R, Sheena M, Kabir S, Swank I, Stange JP, Leow A, Klumpp H, Ajilore O. Differential effects of transcranial current type on heart rate variability during emotion regulation in internalizing psychopathologies. J Affect Disord 2023; 327:7-14. [PMID: 36738996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internalizing psychopathologies (IPs) are characterized by disruptions in emotion regulation (ER). A potential target for ER modulation in individuals with IPs is the theta band. We hypothesized that offset theta-tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) would result in more enhanced ER, indexed by greater increase in heart rate variability (HRV), than transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in participants with IPs. METHODS This pilot study utilized a double-blind, pseudo-counterbalanced design. Participants with internalizing psychopathologies (anxiety and depression) were randomly assigned to receive either offset theta-tACS (n = 14) or tDCS (n = 15) and underwent four sessions of stimulation (two sham). In both arms, there were alternating iterations of an emotion regulation task (ERT) during or immediately after stimulation and rest. Heart rate data were collected during each ERT and rest iteration, and analyses were completed using high-frequency (HF) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) HRV metrics. RESULTS tACS participants consistently displayed increases in both HRV metrics from Time 1 to Time 4. Participants receiving tDCS displayed few significant changes in HF-HRV and no significant changes in RMSSD-HRV. LIMITATIONS Due to the small sample size, analyses were limited. Additionally, the lack of a baseline ERT makes it difficult to determine overall ER improvement. CONCLUSIONS tACS appears to increase ER capacity as reflected in increased HRV in individuals with internalizing psychopathologies, particularly after two sessions of stimulation. This study adds validity to the use of tACS as a neuromodulatory technique in cognitive and clinical research. Additional research is required to better understand potential carry-over effects of multiple sessions of stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica McAleer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lindsey Stewart
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert Shepard
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michelle Sheena
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sarah Kabir
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Isabella Swank
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jonathan P Stange
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alex Leow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heide Klumpp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Olusola Ajilore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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23
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Shibata S, Watanabe T, Otsuru N, Onishi H, Mima T. Very low-frequency transcranial electrical stimulation over the primary motor area can influence the voluntary movement initiation in humans. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:442-4. [PMID: 36736619 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.01.1679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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24
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Wessel MJ, Draaisma LR, Hummel FC. Mini-review: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and the Cerebellum. Cerebellum 2023; 22:120-128. [PMID: 35060078 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01362-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Oscillatory activity in the cerebellum and linked networks is an important aspect of neuronal processing and functional implementation of behavior. So far, it was challenging to quantify and study cerebellar oscillatory signatures in human neuroscience due to the constraints of non-invasive cerebellar electrophysiological recording and interventional techniques. The emerging cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation technique (CB-tACS) is a promising tool, which may partially overcome this challenge and provides an exciting non-invasive opportunity to better understand cerebellar physiology.Several studies have successfully demonstrated that CB-tACS can modulate the cerebellar outflow and cerebellum-linked behavior. In the present narrative review, we summarize current studies employing the CB-tACS approach and discuss open research questions. Hereby, we aim to provide an overview on this emerging electrophysiological technique and strive to promote future research in the field. CB-tACS will contribute in the further deciphering of cerebellar oscillatory signatures and its role for motor, cognitive, or affective functions. In long term, CB-tACS could develop into a therapeutic tool for retuning disturbed oscillatory activity in cerebellar networks underlying brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian J Wessel
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland. .,Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL Valais), Sion, Switzerland. .,Department of Neurology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Laurijn R Draaisma
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland.,Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL Valais), Sion, Switzerland
| | - Friedhelm C Hummel
- Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland.,Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Clinique Romande de Réadaptation, Center for Neuroprosthetics (CNP) and Brain Mind Institute (BMI), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL Valais), Sion, Switzerland.,Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
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25
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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Hou P, Dong G, Shi L, Li W, Wei R, Li X. Excitability changes induced in the human auditory cortex by transcranial alternating current stimulation. Neurosci Lett 2023; 792:136960. [PMID: 36372094 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has been widely studied for its ability to regulate motor, perceptual, and cognitive functions. Given the unique frequency specificity of tACS, it is expected to directly target rhythmic activity in the typical electroencephalogram (EEG) range. After tACS stimulation, changes in stimulation-induced and evoked activities can be inspected. Detecting changes in auditory evoked activity after different frequencies of tACS stimulation will be helpful for further revealing the influence of tACS on the excitation/inhibition of γ activity in the auditory cortex. Using a randomized repeated measures design, this study assessed the effects of alpha(α)-tACS and gamma(γ)-tACS on the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) in 11 normal-hearing participants. Participants attended four sessions held at least one week apart, receiving tACS or sham treatment. The results indicated that α-tACS had an inhibitory effect on 40-Hz ASSR compared to both γ-tACS and sham tACS, which occurred 30 min after stimulation. Taken together, these findings contribute to the understanding of tACS-induced excitability changes in the human auditory cortex, helping reveal the neurophysiological changes after tACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China; School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering Tianjin University, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Peiyun Hou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Gaoyuan Dong
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Limeng Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Weiming Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Ran Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China.
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26
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Bragina OA, Atochin DA, Trofimov AO, Nemoto E, Bragin DE. Cerebral Microcirculation and Oxygenation Modulation by Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Awake and Anesthetized Mice. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1438:9-13. [PMID: 37845432 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-42003-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a novel non-invasive electrical stimulation technique where a sinusoidal oscillating low-voltage electric current is applied to the brain. TACS is being actively investigated in practice for cognition and behavior modulation and for treating brain disorders. However, the physiological mechanisms of tACS are underinvestigated and poorly understood. Previously, we have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) facilitates cerebral microcirculation and oxygen supply in a mouse brain through nitric oxide-dependent vasodilatation of arterioles. Considering that the effects of tACS and tDCS might be both similar and dissimilar, we tested the effects of tACS on regional cerebral blood flow and oxygen saturation in anesthetized and awake mice using laser speckle contrast imaging and multispectral intrinsic optical signal imaging. The anesthetized mice were imaged under isoflurane anesthesia ∼1.0% in 30% O2 and 70% N2O. The awake mice were pre-trained on the rotating ball for awake imaging. Baseline imaging with further tACS was followed by post-stimulation imaging for ~3 h. Differences between groups were determined using a two-way ANOVA analysis for multiple comparisons and post hoc testing using the Mann-Whitney U test. TACS increased cerebral blood flow and oxygen saturation. In awake mice, rCBF and oxygen saturation responses were more robust and prolonged as opposed to anesthetized, where the response was weaker and shorter with overshoot. The significant difference between anesthetized and awake mice emphasizes the importance of the experiments on the latter as anesthesia is not typical for human stimulation and significantly alters the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Bragina
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - D A Atochin
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alex O Trofimov
- Department of Neurological Diseases, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Edwin Nemoto
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Denis E Bragin
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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27
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McAleer J, Stewart L, Shepard R, Sheena M, Stange JP, Leow A, Klumpp H, Ajilore O. Neuromodulatory effects of transcranial electrical stimulation on emotion regulation in internalizing psychopathologies. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 145:62-70. [PMID: 36442377 PMCID: PMC9772290 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We hypothesize offset theta-tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) improves emotion regulation (ER) and psychopathology more than transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in participants with internalizing psychopathologies (IPs). METHODS This pilot study utilized a double-blind, pseudo-counterbalanced, sham-controlled design with participants with IPs. Participants were assigned to receive tDCS or tACS, underwent four stimulation sessions (two sham), and completed an emotion regulation task (ERT) during or after stimulation. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory before/after the study, the Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Index after each ERT, and rated their arousal, valence, and perceived reappraisal ability during the ERT. RESULTS Participants receiving either stimulation type showed a reduction in anxiety, depression, and valence and arousal ratings. We additionally discovered an effect demonstrating those who received sham stimulation first displayed little-to-no change in any score across the study, but tACS participants who received verum stimulation first showed significant improvements in each metric. CONCLUSIONS Improving ER capabilities via theta tACS has the potential to yield beneficial clinical effects. SIGNIFICANCE This study adds validity to the use of non-invasive neuromodulatory methods, especially tACS, to alleviate IPs. Additional research is needed to better understand the effects of sham stimulation. Careful consideration of sham incorporation should be made in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica McAleer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lindsey Stewart
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert Shepard
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michelle Sheena
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jonathan P Stange
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alex Leow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heide Klumpp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Olusola Ajilore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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28
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Abstract
Non-invasive techniques to electrically stimulate the brain such as transcranial direct and alternating current stimulation (tDCS/tACS) are increasingly used in human neuroscience and offer potential new avenues to treat brain disorders. Previous research has shown that stimulation effects may depend on brain-states. However, this work mostly focused on experimentally induced brain-states over the course of several minutes. Besides such global, long-term changes in brain-states, previous research suggests, that the brain is likely to spontaneously alternate between states in sub-second ranges, which is much closer to the time scale at which it is generally believed to operate. Here, we utilized Hidden Markov Models (HMM) to decompose magnetoencephalography data obtained before and after tACS into spontaneous, transient brain-states with distinct spatial, spectral and connectivity profiles. Only one out of four spontaneous brain-states, likely reflecting default mode network activity, showed evidence for an effect of tACS on the power of spontaneous α-oscillations. The identified state appears to disproportionally drive the overall (non-state resolved) tACS effect. No or only marginal effects were found in the remaining states. We found no evidence that tACS influenced the time spent in each state. Although stimulation was applied continuously, our results indicate that spontaneous brain-states and their underlying functional networks differ in their susceptibility to tACS. Global stimulation aftereffects may be disproportionally driven by distinct time periods during which the susceptible state is active. Our results may pave the ground for future work to understand which features make a specific brain-state susceptible to electrical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian H Kasten
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4All", Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany; Centre de Recherche Cerveau & Cognition, CNRS, Toulouse, France; Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4All", Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany.
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Middag-van Spanje M, Schuhmann T, Nijboer T, van der Werf O, Sack AT, van Heugten C. Study protocol of transcranial electrical stimulation at alpha frequency applied during rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial in chronic stroke patients with visuospatial neglect. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:402. [PMID: 36324088 PMCID: PMC9628038 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02932-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A frequent post stroke disorder in lateralized attention is visuospatial neglect (VSN). As VSN has a strong negative impact on recovery in general and independence during daily life, optimal treatment is deemed urgent. Next to traditional stroke treatment, non-invasive brain stimulation offers the potential to facilitate stroke recovery as a complementary approach. In the present study, visual scanning training (VST; the current conventional treatment) will be combined with transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to evaluate the additive effects of repeated sessions of tACS in combination with six-weeks VST rehabilitation. METHODS In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled intervention study (RCT), we will compare the effects of active tACS plus VST to sham (placebo) tACS plus VST, both encompassing 18 VST training sessions, 40 minutes each, during 6 weeks. Chronic stroke patients with VSN (> 6 months post-stroke onset) are considered eligible for study participation. In total 22 patients are needed for the study. The primary outcome is change in performance on a cancellation task. Secondary outcomes are changes in performance on a visual detection task, two line bisection tasks, and three measures to assess changes in activities of daily living. Assessment is at baseline, directly after the first and ninth training session, after the last training session (post training), and 1 week and 3 months after termination of the training (follow-up). DISCUSSION If effective, a tACS-VST rehabilitation program could be implemented as a treatment option for VSN. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ; registration number: NCT05466487; registration date: July 18, 2022 retrospectively registered; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05466487.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marij Middag-van Spanje
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands ,InteraktContour, Nunspeet, The Netherlands
| | - Teresa Schuhmann
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands ,grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja Nijboer
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Olof van der Werf
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands ,grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander T. Sack
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands ,grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands ,grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline van Heugten
- Limburg Brain Injury Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands ,grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands ,grid.412966.e0000 0004 0480 1382School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Varastegan S, Kazemi R, Rostami R, Khomami S, Zandbagleh A, Hadipour AL. Remember NIBS? tACS improves memory performance in elders with subjective memory complaints. GeroScience 2022; 45:851-869. [PMID: 36272055 PMCID: PMC9886712 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00677-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Subjective memory complaints (SMC), the main cognitive component of which is event memory, is a predictor of Alzheimer's disease in elderly people. The purpose of this trial was to investigate the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with theta frequency (6 Hz) on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the improvement of episodic memory in individuals with SMC in a double blind, randomized, and sham-controlled parallel study. Sixteen participants with SMC received either active or sham theta tACS on the mPFC. EEG was recorded, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) was administered. tACS resulted in a significant improvement in episodic memory performance as measured by RAVLT. EEG data revealed a decrease in theta power; decrease in theta, alpha, and gamma current source density (CSD) in the postcentral, insula, and cingulate gyrus; and decrease in theta and gamma phase synchronization as a result of active tACS, compared to the sham group. Moreover, a significant correlation between delayed recall score of RAVLT and CSD in left inferior gyrus in theta frequency band was observed. The results of the current study showed that theta tACS of the mPFC can improve event memory in individuals with SMC through modulating the activity in the frontal and temporal regions in the brain and thus can be considered a potential therapeutic intervention for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reza Kazemi
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Blvd Cognitive Science, Pardis, Tehran, 1658344575, Iran.
| | - Reza Rostami
- Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sanaz Khomami
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Zandbagleh
- School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abed L. Hadipour
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Bradley C, Elliott J, Dudley S, Kieseker GA, Mattingley JB, Sale MV. Slow-oscillatory tACS does not modulate human motor cortical response to repeated plasticity paradigms. Exp Brain Res 2022. [PMID: 36173425 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Previous history of activity and learning modulates synaptic plasticity and can lead to saturation of synaptic connections. According to the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis, neural oscillations during slow-wave sleep play an important role in restoring plasticity within a functional range. However, it is not known whether slow-wave oscillations—without the concomitant requirement of sleep—play a causal role in human synaptic homeostasis. Here, we aimed to answer this question using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to induce slow-oscillatory activity in awake human participants. tACS was interleaved between two plasticity-inducing interventions: motor learning, and paired associative stimulation (PAS). The hypothesis tested was that slow-oscillatory tACS would prevent homeostatic interference between motor learning and PAS, and facilitate plasticity from these successive interventions. Thirty-six participants received sham and active fronto-motor tACS in two separate sessions, along with electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, while a further 38 participants received tACS through a control montage. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded throughout the session to quantify plasticity changes after the different interventions, and the data were analysed with Bayesian statistics. As expected, there was converging evidence that motor training led to excitatory plasticity. Importantly, we found moderate evidence against an effect of active tACS in restoring PAS plasticity, and no evidence of lasting entrainment of slow oscillations in the EEG. This suggests that, under the conditions tested here, slow-oscillatory tACS does not modulate synaptic homeostasis in the motor system of awake humans.
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Schuhmann T, Duecker F, Middag-van Spanje M, Gallotto S, van Heugten C, Schrijnemaekers AC, van Oostenbrugge R, Sack AT. Transcranial alternating brain stimulation at alpha frequency reduces hemispatial neglect symptoms in stroke patients. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2022; 22:100326. [PMID: 35990733 PMCID: PMC9364103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Objective Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) may help alleviate attention deficits in stroke patients with hemispatial neglect by modulating oscillatory brain activity. We applied high-definition (HD)-tACS at alpha frequency over the contralesional hemisphere to support unilateral oscillatory alpha activity and correct for the pathologically altered attention bias in neglect patients. Methods We performed a within-subject, placebo-controlled study in which sixteen stroke patients with hemispatial neglect underwent 10 Hz (alpha) as well as sham (placebo) stimulation targeting the contralesional posterior parietal cortex. Attentional bias was measured with a computerized visual detection paradigm and two standard paper-and-pencil neglect tests. Results We revealed a significant shift of attentional resources after alpha-HD-tACS, but not sham tACS, toward the ipsilateral and thus contralesional hemifield leading to a reduction in neglect symptoms, measured with a computerized visual detection paradigm and a widely used standard paper and pencil neglect tests. Conclusions We showed a significant alpha-HD-tACS-induced shift of attentional resources toward the contralesional hemifield, thus leading to a reduction in neglect symptoms. Importantly, HD-tACS effects persisted after the stimulation itself had ended. This tACS protocol, based on intrinsic oscillatory processes, may be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Schuhmann
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Felix Duecker
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marij Middag-van Spanje
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,InteraktContour, Nunspeet, the Netherlands
| | - Stefano Gallotto
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,EEG and Epilepsy Unit, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Caroline van Heugten
- Limburg Brain Injury Center, the Netherlands.,Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN), Maastricht University, the Netherlands.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Anne-Claire Schrijnemaekers
- Adelante Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Brain Injury, Hoensbroek, the Netherlands.,Mondriaan Mental Health Centre, Department of Adult Psychiatry, Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert van Oostenbrugge
- Department of Neurology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander T Sack
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Sale MV, Kuzovina A. Motor training is improved by concurrent application of slow oscillating transcranial alternating current stimulation to motor cortex. BMC Neurosci 2022; 23:45. [PMID: 35840886 PMCID: PMC9287859 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-022-00731-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical exercise and neurorehabilitation involve repetitive training that can induce changes in motor performance arising from neuroplasticity. Retention of these motor changes occurs via an encoding process, during which rapid neuroplastic changes occur in response to training. Previous studies show that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, can enhance encoding of a cognitive learning task during wakefulness. However, the effect of tACS on motor processes in the awake brain is unknown. In this study, forty-two healthy 18–35 year old participants received either 0.75 Hz (active) tACS (or sham stimulation) for 30 min during a ballistic thumb abduction motor training task. Training-related behavioural effects were quantified by assessing changes in thumb abduction acceleration, and neuroplastic changes were quantified by measuring motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. These measures were reassessed immediately after the motor training task to quantify short-term changes, and then 24 h later to assess longer-term changes. Thumb abduction acceleration in both active and sham stimulation conditions increased immediately after the motor learning, consistent with effective training. Critically, participants in the active group maintained significantly higher thumb acceleration 24 h later (t40 = 2.810, P = 0.044). There were no significant changes or inter-group differences in MEPs for both conditions. The results suggest that 0.75 Hz tACS applied during motor training enhances the effectiveness of motor training, which manifests as enhancement in longer-term task benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin V Sale
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Anastasiia Kuzovina
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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Wischnewski M, Compen B. Effects of theta transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on exploration and exploitation during uncertain decision-making. Behav Brain Res 2022; 426:113840. [PMID: 35325684 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Exploring ones surroundings may yield unexpected rewards, but is associated with uncertainty and risk. Alternatively, exploitation of certain outcomes is related to low risk, yet potentially better outcomes remain unexamined. As such, risk-taking behavior depends on perceived uncertainty and a trade-off between exploration-exploitation. Previously, it has been suggested that risk-taking may relate to theta activity in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, previous studies hinted at a relationship between a right-hemispheric bias in frontal theta asymmetry and risky behavior. In the present double-blind sham-controlled within-subject study, we applied bifrontal transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the theta frequency (5 Hz) on eighteen healthy volunteers during a gambling task. Two tACS montages with either left-right or posterior-anterior current flow were employed at an intensity of 1 mA. Results showed that, compared to sham, theta tACS increased perceived uncertainty irrespective of current flow direction. Despite this observation, no direct effect of tACS on exploration behavior and general risk-taking was observed. Furthermore, frontal theta asymmetry was more right-hemispherically biased after posterior-anterior tACS, compared to sham. Finally, we used electric field simulation to identify which regions were targeted by the tACS montages as an overlap in regions may explain why the two montages resulted in comparable outcomes. Our findings provide a first step towards understanding the relationship between frontal theta oscillations and different features of risk-taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles Wischnewski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
| | - Boukje Compen
- School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Abstract
Neuromodulation is a widely used treatment for motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). It can be a highly effective treatment as a result of knowledge of circuit dysfunction associated with motor symptoms in PD. However, the mechanisms underlying cognitive symptoms of PD are less well-known, and the effects of neuromodulation on these symptoms are less consistent. Nonetheless, neuromodulation provides a unique opportunity to modulate motor and cognitive circuits while minimizing off-target side effects. We review the modalities of neuromodulation used in PD and the potential implications for cognitive symptoms. There have been some encouraging findings with both invasive and noninvasive modalities of neuromodulation, and there are promising advances being made in the field of therapeutic neuromodulation. Substantial work is needed to determine which modulation targets are most effective for the different types of cognitive deficits of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Cole
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Derrick N Okine
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Brooke E Yeager
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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36
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Riddle J, Alexander ML, Schiller CE, Rubinow DR, Frohlich F. Reduction in Left Frontal Alpha Oscillations by Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Major Depressive Disorder Is Context Dependent in a Randomized Clinical Trial. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging 2022; 7:302-311. [PMID: 34273556 PMCID: PMC8758795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Left frontal alpha oscillations are associated with decreased approach motivation and have been proposed as a target for noninvasive brain stimulation for the treatment of depression and anhedonia. Indeed, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the alpha frequency reduced left frontal alpha power and was associated with a higher response rate than placebo stimulation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. METHODS In this current study, we aimed to replicate successful target engagement by delineating the effects of a single session of bifrontal tACS at the individualized alpha frequency (IAF-tACS) on alpha oscillations in patients with MDD. Eighty-four participants were randomized to receive verum or sham IAF-tACS. Electrical brain activity was recorded during rest and while viewing emotionally salient images before and after stimulation to investigate whether the modulation of alpha oscillation by tACS exhibited specificity with regard to valence. RESULTS In agreement with the previous study of tACS in MDD, we found that a single session of bifrontal IAF-tACS reduced left frontal alpha power during the resting state when compared with placebo. Furthermore, the reduction of left frontal alpha oscillation by tACS was specific for stimuli with positive valence. In contrast, these effects on left frontal alpha power were not found in healthy control participants. CONCLUSIONS Together, these results support an important role of tACS in reducing left frontal alpha oscillations as a future treatment for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Morgan L. Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - David R. Rubinow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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Abstract
Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is the main theoretical framework to explain mechanisms of learning and memory. Synaptic plasticity can be explored experimentally in animals through various standardized protocols for eliciting long-term potentiation and long-term depression in hippocampal and cortical slices. In humans, several non-invasive protocols of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation have been designed and applied to probe synaptic plasticity in the primary motor cortex, as reflected by long-term changes in motor evoked potential amplitudes. These protocols mimic those normally used in animal studies for assessing long-term potentiation and long-term depression. In this chapter, we first discuss the physiologic basis of theta-burst stimulation, paired associative stimulation, and transcranial direct current stimulation. We describe the current biophysical and theoretical models underlying the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity, defined as activity-dependent changes in neural functions that modulate subsequent synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), in the human motor cortex including calcium-dependent plasticity, spike-timing-dependent plasticity, the role of N-methyl-d-aspartate-related transmission and gamma-aminobutyric-acid interneuronal activity. We also review the putative microcircuits responsible for synaptic plasticity in the human motor cortex. We critically readdress the issue of variability in studies investigating synaptic plasticity and propose available solutions. Finally, we speculate about the utility of future studies with more advanced experimental approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Suppa
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed Institute, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
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38
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Abstract
Recent technological advances in the field of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) have allowed to interact with endogenous brain oscillatory activity, the main neural communication code of our brain, opening new scenarios for transient modifications of cognitive and behavioral performances: such a possibility can be capitalized both for research purposes in healthy subjects, as well as in the context of therapeutic and rehabilitative settings. Among NiBS methodologies, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been the first used to this purpose, and also thanks to the technical development of TMS-EEG co-registering systems, the mechanistic knowledge regarding the role of brain oscillations has been improved. Another approach to brain oscillations considers electric stimulation methods, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and especially transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), for which -however- some technical and conceptual caveats have emerged. In this chapter, we briefly review the uses of NiBS in this field up to now, by providing an update on the current status of research applications as well as of its attempts of exploitation in translational clinical applications, especially regarding motor disorders and for understanding and reducing some psychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Rossi
- Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Berenson-Allen Center for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Matteo Feurra
- Centre for Cognition and Decision Making, Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Fiene M, Radecke JO, Misselhorn J, Sengelmann M, Herrmann CS, Schneider TR, Schwab BC, Engel AK. tACS phase-specifically biases brightness perception of flickering light. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:244-253. [PMID: 34990876 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual phenomena like brightness illusions impressively demonstrate the highly constructive nature of perception. In addition to physical illumination, the subjective experience of brightness is related to temporal neural dynamics in visual cortex. OBJECTIVE Here, we asked whether biasing the temporal pattern of neural excitability in visual cortex by transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) modulates brightness perception of concurrent rhythmic visual stimuli. METHODS Participants performed a brightness discrimination task of two flickering lights, one of which was targeted by same-frequency electrical stimulation at varying phase shifts. tACS was applied with an occipital and a periorbital active control montage, based on simulations of electrical currents using finite element head models. RESULTS Experimental results reveal that flicker brightness perception is modulated dependent on the phase shift between sensory and electrical stimulation, solely under occipital tACS. Phase-specific modulatory effects by tACS were dependent on flicker-evoked neural phase stability at the tACS-targeted frequency, recorded prior to electrical stimulation. Further, the optimal timing of tACS application leading to enhanced brightness perception was correlated with the neural phase delay of the cortical flicker response. CONCLUSIONS Our results corroborate the role of temporally coordinated neural activity in visual cortex for brightness perception of rhythmic visual input in humans. Phase-specific behavioral modulations by tACS emphasize its efficacy to transfer perceptually relevant temporal information to the cortex. These findings provide an important step towards understanding the basis of visual perception and further confirm electrical stimulation as a tool for advancing controlled modulations of neural activity and related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Fiene
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
| | - Jan-Ole Radecke
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Jonas Misselhorn
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Malte Sengelmann
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", European Medical School, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, 26129, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, 26129, Germany
| | - Till R Schneider
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Bettina C Schwab
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Andreas K Engel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
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Soutschek A, Nadporozhskaia L, Christian P. Brain stimulation over dorsomedial prefrontal cortex modulates effort-based decision making. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci 2022; 22:1264-74. [PMID: 35729467 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-022-01021-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Deciding whether to engage in strenuous mental activities requires trading-off the potential benefits against the costs of mental effort, but it is unknown which brain rhythms are causally involved in such cost-benefit calculations. We show that brain stimulation targeting midfrontal theta oscillations increases the engagement in goal-directed mental effort. Participants received transcranial alternating current stimulation over dorsomedial prefrontal cortex while deciding whether they are willing to perform a demanding working memory task for monetary rewards. Midfrontal theta tACS increased the willingness to exert mental effort for rewards while leaving working memory performance unchanged. Computational modelling using a hierarchical Bayesian drift diffusion model suggests that theta tACS shifts the starting bias before evidence accumulation towards high reward-high effort options without affecting the velocity of the evidence accumulation process. Our findings suggest that the motivation to engage in goal-directed mental effort can be increased via midfrontal tACS.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Zanto TP, Jones KT, Ostrand AE, Hsu WY, Campusano R, Gazzaley A. Individual differences in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology predict effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:1317-1329. [PMID: 34481095 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) research has been plagued with inconsistent effects. Recent work has suggested neuroanatomical and neurophysiological variability may alter tES efficacy. However, direct evidence is limited. OBJECTIVE We have previously replicated effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on improving multitasking ability in young adults. Here, we attempt to assess whether these stimulation parameters have comparable effects in older adults (aged 60-80 years), which is a population known to have greater variability in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. It is hypothesized that this variability in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology will be predictive of tACS efficacy. METHODS We conducted a pre-registered study where tACS was applied above the prefrontal cortex (between electrodes F3-F4) while participants were engaged in multitasking. Participants were randomized to receive either 6-Hz (theta) tACS for 26.67 min daily for three days (80 min total; Long Exposure Theta group), 6-Hz tACS for 5.33 min daily (16-min total; Short Exposure Theta group), or 1-Hz tACS for 26.67 min (80 min total; Control group). To account for neuroanatomy, magnetic resonance imaging data was used to form individualized models of the tACS-induced electric field (EF) within the brain. To account for neurophysiology, electroencephalography data was used to identify individual peak theta frequency. RESULTS Results indicated that only in the Long Theta group, performance change was correlated with modeled EF and peak theta frequency. Together, modeled EF and peak theta frequency accounted for 54%-65% of the variance in tACS-related performance improvements, which sustained for a month. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate the importance of individual differences in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology in tACS research and help account for inconsistent effects across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore P Zanto
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Kevin T Jones
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Avery E Ostrand
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wan-Yu Hsu
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Richard Campusano
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam Gazzaley
- Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Neuroscape, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Departments of Physiology and Psychiatry, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Kim J, Kim H, Jeong H, Roh D, Kim DH. tACS as a promising therapeutic option for improving cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment: A direct comparison between tACS and tDCS. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 141:248-256. [PMID: 34256276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuromodulation has gained attention as a potential non-pharmacological intervention for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, no studies have directly compared the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on MCI patients. We aimed to identify the more promising and efficient therapeutic option between tACS and tDCS for cognitive enhancement in MCI patients. We compared the effects of gamma-tACS with tDCS on cognitive function and electroencephalography (EEG) in MCI patients. In this sham-controlled, double-blinded, repeated-measures study with the order of the stimulation counterbalanced across patients (n = 20), both gamma-tACS (40 H z) and tDCS were administered at the same intensity (2 mA) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 30 min. Cognitive tests (Stroop and Trail-Making-Test [TMT]) and EEG were performed before and after single-session stimulation. Gamma-tACS improved the Stroop-color in comparison with tDCS (p = .044) and sham (p = .010) and enhanced the TMT-B in comparison with sham (p = .021). However, tDCS was not significantly different from sham in changes of any cognitive test scores. In EEG analysis, gamma-tACS increased beta activity in comparison with sham and tDCS, whereas tDCS decreased delta and theta activity in comparison with sham. Gamma-tACS also increased beta 2 source activity in the anterior cingulate, compared to sham. The cognitive benefits of tACS in MCI patients appeared superior to those of tDCS. tACS facilitated cognitive function by increasing beta activity, while tDCS delayed the progression of MCI symptoms by decreasing slow-frequency activity. Thus, tACS could be used as a new therapeutic option for MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiheon Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea; Mind-Neuromodulation Laboratory, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansol Kim
- Mind-Neuromodulation Laboratory, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Jeong
- Mind-Neuromodulation Laboratory, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Daeyoung Roh
- Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea; Mind-Neuromodulation Laboratory, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Hoon Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea; Mind-Neuromodulation Laboratory, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
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Riddle J, McFerren A, Frohlich F. Causal role of cross-frequency coupling in distinct components of cognitive control. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 202:102033. [PMID: 33741402 PMCID: PMC8184612 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive control is the capacity to guide motor and perceptual systems towards abstract goals. High-frequency neural oscillations related to motor activity in the beta band (13-30 Hz) and to visual processing in the gamma band (>30 Hz) are known to be modulated by cognitive control signals. One proposed mechanism for cognitive control is via cross-frequency coupling whereby low frequency network oscillations in prefrontal cortex (delta from 2-3 Hz and theta from 4-8 Hz) guide the expression of motor-related activity in action planning and guide perception-related activity in memory access. However, there is no causal evidence for cross-frequency coupling in these dissociable components of cognitive control. To address this important gap in knowledge, we delivered cross-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (CF-tACS) during performance of a task that manipulated cognitive control demands along two dimensions: the abstraction of the rules of the task (nested levels of action selection) that increased delta-beta coupling and the number of rules (set-size held in memory) that increased theta-gamma coupling. As hypothesized, we found that CF-tACS increased the targeted phase-amplitude coupling and modulated task performance of the associated cognitive control component. These findings provide causal evidence that prefrontal cortex orchestrates different components of cognitive control via two different cross-frequency coupling modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- 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
| | - Amber McFerren
- 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
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- 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 Cell Biology and Physiology, 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; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Schwab BC, König P, Engel AK. Spike-timing-dependent plasticity can account for connectivity aftereffects of dual-site transcranial alternating current stimulation. Neuroimage 2021; 237:118179. [PMID: 34015486 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), applied to two brain sites with different phase lags, has been shown to modulate stimulation-outlasting functional EEG connectivity between the targeted regions. Given the lack of knowledge on mechanisms of tACS aftereffects, it is difficult to further enhance effect sizes and reduce variability in experiments. In this computational study, we tested if spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) can explain stimulation-outlasting connectivity modulation by dual-site tACS and explored the effects of tACS parameter choices. Two populations of spiking neurons were coupled with synapses subject to STDP, and results were validated via a re-analysis of EEG data. Our simulations showed stimulation-outlasting connectivity changes between in- and anti-phase tACS, dependent on both tACS frequency and synaptic conduction delays. Importantly, both a simple network entraining to a wide range of tACS frequencies as well as a more realistic network that spontaneously oscillated at alpha frequency predicted that the largest effects would occur for short conduction delays between the stimulated regions. This finding agreed with experimental EEG connectivity modulation by 10Hz tACS, showing a clear negative correlation of tACS effects with estimated conduction delays between regions. In conclusion, STDP can explain connectivity aftereffects of dual-site tACS. However, not all combinations of tACS frequency and application sites are expected to effectively modulate connectivity via STDP. We therefore suggest using appropriate computational models and/or EEG analysis for planning and interpretation of dual-site tACS studies relying on aftereffects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina C Schwab
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany; Berlin Institute for Advanced Study, Germany.
| | - Peter König
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany; Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Andreas K Engel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
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Meng A, Kaiser M, de Graaf TA, Dücker F, Sack AT, De Weerd P, van de Ven V. Transcranial alternating current stimulation at theta frequency to left parietal cortex impairs associative, but not perceptual, memory encoding. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 182:107444. [PMID: 33895350 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neural oscillations in the theta range (4-8 Hz) are thought to underlie associative memory function in the hippocampal-cortical network. While there is ample evidence supporting a role of theta oscillations in animal and human memory, most evidence is correlational. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can be employed to modulate cortical oscillatory activity to influence brain activity, and possibly modulate deeper brain regions, such as hippocampus, through strong and reliable cortico-hippocampal functional connections. We applied focal transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at 6 Hz over left parietal cortex to modulate brain activity in the putative cortico-hippocampal network to influence associative memory encoding. After encoding and brain stimulation, participants completed an associative memory and a perceptual recognition task. Results showed that theta tACS significantly decreased associative memory performance but did not affect perceptual memory performance. These results show that parietal theta tACS modulates associative processing separately from perceptual processing, and further substantiate the hypothesis that theta oscillations are implicated in the cortico-hippocampal network and associative encoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Meng
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Max Kaiser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Tom A de Graaf
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (MBIC), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Felix Dücker
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (MBIC), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander T Sack
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (MBIC), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter De Weerd
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (MBIC), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent van de Ven
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (MBIC), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Hosseinian T, Yavari F, Biagi MC, Kuo MF, Ruffini G, Nitsche MA, Jamil A. External induction and stabilization of brain oscillations in the human. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:579-587. [PMID: 33781955 PMCID: PMC8144019 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neural oscillations in the cerebral cortex are associated with a range of cognitive processes and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, non-invasively modulating oscillatory activity remains technically challenging, due to limited strength, duration, or non-synchronization of stimulation waveforms with endogenous rhythms. Objective We hypothesized that applying controllable phase-synchronized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation pulses (rTMS) with alternating currents (tACS) may induce and stabilize neuro-oscillatory resting-state activity at targeted frequencies. Methods Using a novel circuit to precisely synchronize rTMS pulses with phase of tACS, we empirically tested whether combined, 10-Hz prefrontal bilateral stimulation could induce and stabilize 10-Hz oscillations in the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC). 25 healthy participants took part in a repeated-measures design. Whole-brain resting-state EEG in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) was recorded before (baseline), immediately (1-min), and 15- and 30-min after stimulation. Bilateral, phase-synchronized rTMS aligned to the positive tACS peak was compared with rTMS at tACS trough, with bilateral tACS or rTMS on its own, and to sham. Results 10-Hz resting-state PFC power increased significantly with peak-synchronized rTMS + tACS (EO: 44.64%, EC: 46.30%, p < 0.05) compared to each stimulation protocol on its own, and sham, with effects spanning between prefrontal and parietal regions and sustaining throughout 30-min. No effects were observed with the sham protocol. Moreover, rTMS timed to the negative tACS trough did not induce local or global changes in oscillations. Conclusion Phase-synchronizing rTMS with tACS may be a viable approach for inducing and stabilizing neuro-oscillatory activity, particularly in scenarios where endogenous oscillatory tone is attenuated, such as disorders of consciousness or major depression. Non-invasively inducing and stabilizing neural oscillations remains challenging. We develop a controllable phase-synchronized circuit to combine rTMS and tACS. This circuit was tested for inducing 10 Hz oscillations in healthy prefrontal cortex. 10 Hz rTMS synchronized to the positive 10 Hz tACS peak induced stable after-effects. Phase-synchronized stimulation is a viable approach for oscillatory neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiam Hosseinian
- Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors. Dortmund, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Yavari
- Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors. Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Min-Fang Kuo
- Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors. Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Michael A Nitsche
- Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors. Dortmund, Germany; Dept. Neurology, University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Asif Jamil
- Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors. Dortmund, Germany; Laboratory for Neuropsychiatry & Neuromodulation, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Rufener KS, Zaehle T. Dysfunctional auditory gamma oscillations in developmental dyslexia: A potential target for a tACS-based intervention. Prog Brain Res 2021; 264:211-232. [PMID: 34167657 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Interventions in developmental dyslexia typically consist of orthography-based reading and writing trainings. However, their efficacy is limited and, consequently, the symptoms persist into adulthood. Critical for this lack of efficacy is the still ongoing debate about the core deficit in dyslexia and its underlying neurobiological causes. There is ample evidence on phonological as well as auditory temporal processing deficits in dyslexia and, on the other hand, cortical gamma oscillations in the auditory cortex as functionally relevant for the extraction of linguistically meaningful information units from the acoustic signal. The present work aims to shed more light on the link between auditory gamma oscillations, phonological awareness, and literacy skills in dyslexia. By mean of EEG, individual gamma frequencies were assessed in a group of children and adolescents diagnosed with dyslexia as well as in an age-matched control group with typical literacy skills. Furthermore, phonological awareness was assessed in both groups, while in dyslexic participants also reading and writing performance was measured. We found significantly lower gamma peak frequencies as well as lower phonological awareness scores in dyslexic participants compared to age-matched controls. Additionally, results showed a positive correlation between the individual gamma frequency and phonological awareness. Our data suggest a hierarchical structure of neural gamma oscillations, phonological awareness, and literacy skills. Thereby, the results emphasize altered gamma oscillation not only as a core deficit in dyslexia but also as a potential target for future causal interventions. We discuss these findings considering non-invasive brain stimulation techniques and suggest transcranial alternating current stimulation as a promising approach to normalize dysfunctional oscillations in dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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Boetzel C, Herrmann CS. Potential targets for the treatment of ADHD using transcranial electrical current stimulation. Prog Brain Res 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Takeuchi N, Terui Y, Izumi SI. Oscillatory entrainment of neural activity between inferior frontoparietal cortices alters imitation performance. Neuropsychologia 2021; 150:107702. [PMID: 33276036 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The frontoparietal mirror network is activated when an individual performs a goal-directed action and observes another person's intentional action. It has been speculated that the distinct frontal and parietal regions might work together to participate in the imitation process, which translates an observed movement into an identical action. We aimed to determine the relationship between the frontoparietal mirror network and imitation by applying transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to exogenously modulate oscillatory neural activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus and the left inferior parietal lobule. In total, 45 young adults participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to the three tACS groups (synchronous, desynchronous, and sham; 55 Hz enveloped by 6 Hz). Before and during tACS, the participants performed the gesture matching task and the gesture imitation task. Application of synchronous tACS over the left frontoparietal cortices significantly improved the performance of gesture matching and the meaningless gesture imitation relative to the baseline performance. Desynchronous tACS deteriorated the gesture matching performance relative to the baseline results. The oscillatory entrainment of neural activity between components of the frontoparietal mirror network is considered to alter imitation performance by modulating neural information relating to the goals of actions in the frontal cortex and the means of observed actions in the parietal cortex. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reveals that the rhythmic communication between components of the frontoparietal mirror network has a functional role in imitation.
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