1
|
Christophel T, Weber S, Yan C, Stopak L, Hetzer S, Haynes JD. Nonfrontal Control of Working Memory. J Cogn Neurosci 2024; 36:1037-1047. [PMID: 38319895 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_02127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Items held in visual working memory can be quickly updated, replaced, removed, and even manipulated in accordance with current behavioral goals. Here, we use multivariate pattern analyses to identify the patterns of neuronal activity that realize the executive control processes supervising these flexible stores. We find that portions of the middle temporal gyrus and the intraparietal sulcus represent what item is cued for continued memorization independently of representations of the item itself. Importantly, this selection-specific activity could not be explained by sensory representations of the cue and is only present when control is exerted. Our results suggest that the selection of memorized items might be controlled in a distributed and decentralized fashion. This evidence provides an alternative perspective to the notion of "domain general" central executive control over memory function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Christophel
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging and Clinic for Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt Universität, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon Weber
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging and Clinic for Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chang Yan
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging and Clinic for Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lee Stopak
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging and Clinic for Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Hetzer
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging and Clinic for Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - John-Dylan Haynes
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging and Clinic for Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt Universität, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Berlin, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Charité Universitätsmedizin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- SFB 940 Volition and Cognitive Control, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Maruyama Y, Kojima S, Onishi H. Discrimination of the moving direction is improved depending on the pattern of the mechanical tactile stimulation intervention. BMC Neurosci 2024; 25:15. [PMID: 38443782 PMCID: PMC10916153 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-024-00855-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanical tactile stimulation, such as plastic pins and airflow-driven membrane, induces cortical activity. The cortical activity depends on the mechanical tactile stimulation pattern. Therefore, the stimulation pattern of mechanical tactile stimuli intervention may influence its effect on the somatosensory function. However, the effect of the mechanical tactile stimulation input pattern on the somatosensory function has not yet been investigated at the behavioral level. The present study aimed to clarify the effects of mechanical tactile stimuli intervention with different stimulation patterns on the ability to discriminate moving directions. RESULTS Twenty healthy adults participated in the experiment. Three conditions were used for mechanical tactile stimuli intervention: (1) the whole stimulus surface was stimulated, (2) the stimulus moved within the stimulus surface, and (3) a no-stimulus condition. The effects of mechanical tactile stimuli intervention on tactile discrimination were evaluated using a simple reaction task and a choice reaction task to discriminate the movement direction. Reaction time, correct rate, and rate correct score were calculated to measure task performance. We examined the effects of mechanical tactile stimuli intervention on the ability to discriminate the moving direction for a certain period under three intervention conditions. The results showed that the mean reaction time during the simple reaction task did not differ significantly before and after the intervention under all intervention conditions. Similarly, we compared the data obtained before and after the intervention during the choice reaction task. Our results revealed that the mean reaction time and correct rate did not differ significantly under vertical and horizontal conditions. However, the rate correct score showed a significant improvement after the horizontal moving tactile stimulation intervention under both vertical and horizontal conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that the effect of mechanical tactile stimuli intervention on mechanical tactile stimulation moving direction discrimination function depended on the input pattern of mechanical tactile stimuli intervention. Our results suggest the potential therapeutic benefits of sustained tactile stimulation intervention. This study revealed that it is possible to change behavioral levels via mechanical tactile stimuli intervention as well as the potential of mechanical tactile stimuli intervention in the field of rehabilitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Maruyama
- Graduate School, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, 950-3198, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan.
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, 950-3198, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Sho Kojima
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, 950-3198, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 950-3198, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, 950-3198, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 950-3198, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kong Q, Li T, Reddy S, Hodges S, Kong J. Brain stimulation targets for chronic pain: Insights from meta-analysis, functional connectivity and literature review. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00297. [PMID: 38237403 PMCID: PMC10903102 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2023.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have demonstrated their potential for chronic pain management, yet their efficacy exhibits variability across studies. Refining stimulation targets and exploring additional targets offer a possible solution to this challenge. This study aimed to identify potential brain surface targets for NIBS in treating chronic pain disorders by integrating literature review, neuroimaging meta-analysis, and functional connectivity analysis on 90 chronic low back pain patients. Our results showed that the primary motor cortex (M1) (C3/C4, 10-20 EEG system) and prefrontal cortex (F3/F4/Fz) were the most used brain stimulation targets for chronic pain treatment according to the literature review. The bilateral precentral gyrus (M1), supplementary motor area, Rolandic operculum, and temporoparietal junction, were all identified as common potential NIBS targets through both a meta-analysis sourced from Neurosynth and functional connectivity analysis. This study presents a comprehensive summary of the current literature and refines the existing NIBS targets through a combination of imaging meta-analysis and functional connectivity analysis for chronic pain conditions. The derived coordinates (with integration of the international electroencephalography (EEG) 10/20 electrode placement system) within the above brain regions may further facilitate the localization of these targets for NIBS application. Our findings may have the potential to expand NIBS target selection beyond current clinical trials and improve chronic pain treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Sveta Reddy
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Sierra Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Permezel F, Alty J, Harding IH, Thyagarajan D. Brain Networks Involved in Sensory Perception in Parkinson's Disease: A Scoping Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1552. [PMID: 38002513 PMCID: PMC10669548 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) has historically been considered a disorder of motor dysfunction. However, a growing number of studies have demonstrated sensory abnormalities in PD across the modalities of proprioceptive, tactile, visual, auditory and temporal perception. A better understanding of these may inform future drug and neuromodulation therapy. We analysed these studies using a scoping review. In total, 101 studies comprising 2853 human participants (88 studies) and 125 animals (13 studies), published between 1982 and 2022, were included. These highlighted the importance of the basal ganglia in sensory perception across all modalities, with an additional role for the integration of multiple simultaneous sensation types. Numerous studies concluded that sensory abnormalities in PD result from increased noise in the basal ganglia and increased neuronal receptive field size. There is evidence that sensory changes in PD and impaired sensorimotor integration may contribute to motor abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Permezel
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia; (F.P.); (I.H.H.)
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55901, USA
| | - Jane Alty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia;
| | - Ian H. Harding
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia; (F.P.); (I.H.H.)
| | - Dominic Thyagarajan
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia; (F.P.); (I.H.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Johari K, Lai VT, Riccardi N, Desai RH. Temporal features of concepts are grounded in time perception neural networks: An EEG study. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2023; 237:105220. [PMID: 36587493 PMCID: PMC10100101 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2022.105220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Experimental evidence suggests that modality-specific concept features such as action, motion, and sound partially rely on corresponding action/perception neural networks in the human brain.Little is known, however, about time-related features of concepts. We examined whether temporal features of concepts recruit networks that subserve time perception in the brain in an EEG study using event and object nouns. Results showed significantly larger ERPs for event duration vs object size judgments over right parietal electrodes, a region associated with temporal processing. Additionally, alpha/beta (10-15 Hz) neural oscillation showed a stronger desynchronization for event duration compared to object size in the right parietal electrodes. This difference was not seen in control tasks comparing event vs object valence, suggesting that it is not likely to reflect a general difference between event and object nouns. These results indicate that temporal features of words may be subserved by time perception circuits in the human brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karim Johari
- Human Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Lab, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Vicky T Lai
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Nicholas Riccardi
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Rutvik H Desai
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA; Institute for Mind and Brain, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moretti J, Marinovic W, Harvey AR, Rodger J, Visser TAW. Offline Parietal Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation or Alpha Frequency Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Has No Effect on Visuospatial or Temporal Attention. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:903977. [PMID: 35774555 PMCID: PMC9237453 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.903977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation is a growing field with potentially wide-ranging clinical and basic science applications due to its ability to transiently and safely change brain excitability. In this study we include two types of stimulation: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Single session stimulations with either technique have previously been reported to induce changes in attention. To better understand and compare the effectiveness of each technique and the basis of their effects on cognition we assessed changes to both temporal and visuospatial attention using an attentional blink task and a line bisection task following offline stimulation with an intermittent theta burst (iTBS) rTMS protocol or 10 Hz tACS. Additionally, we included a novel rTMS stimulation technique, low-intensity (LI-)rTMS, also using an iTBS protocol, which uses stimulation intensities an order of magnitude below conventional rTMS. Animal models show that low-intensity rTMS modulates cortical excitability despite sub-action potential threshold stimulation. Stimulation was delivered in healthy participants over the right posterior parietal cortex (rPPC) using a within-subjects design (n = 24). Analyses showed no evidence for an effect of any stimulation technique on spatial biases in the line bisection task or on magnitude of the attentional blink. Our results suggests that rTMS and LI-rTMS using iTBS protocol and 10 Hz tACS over rPPC do not modulate performance in tasks assessing visuospatial or temporal attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Moretti
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Welber Marinovic
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Alan R. Harvey
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Lions Eye Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jennifer Rodger
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Jennifer Rodger,
| | - Troy A. W. Visser
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Preliminary Study on Safety Assessment of 10 Hz Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Rat Brain. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12115299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of the safety of transcranial electrical stimulation devices that contact the scalp and apply electrical stimulations to brain tissues is essential for the prevention of unexpected brain damage caused by electromagnetic fields. In particular, safety studies on transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are needed for active applications to treat brain diseases and for the development of medical devices, because there is a lack of research on the safety of tACS, in contrast to transcranial direct current stimulation. In this study, the safety of tACS with selected parameters, i.e., a stimulation intensity of 1.0 to 2.0 mA, a frequency of 10 Hz, and a treatment time of 20 min, was examined at a preclinical stage using small animals (rats). The results of magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological imaging indicated that the conditions applied in this study provided safe tACS without damaging brain tissues or neuronal components in the acute phase. In addition, the temperature did not increase above 41 °C, which is a temperature limitation for contact-type medical devices, even after 20 min of tACS application.
Collapse
|
8
|
Wei J, Zhang Z, Yao Z, Ming D, Zhou P. Modulation of Sustained Attention by Theta-tACS over the Lateral and Medial Frontal Cortices. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:5573471. [PMID: 34239553 PMCID: PMC8238627 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5573471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Theta oscillations over the posterior medial frontal cortex (pMFC) and lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) play vital roles in sustained attention. Specifically, pMFC power and pMFC-LPFC synchronization correlate with cognitive control in sustained-attention-related tasks, but the causal relationships remain unknown. In the present study, we first analyzed the correlation between EEG theta oscillations (characterized by time-frequency power and phase-based connectivity) and the level of sustained attention (Experiment 1) and then utilized transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to modulate theta oscillations and in turn observed its effects on sustained attention (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, two time-frequency regions of interest (ROIs) were determined, in which high/low time-frequency power and high/low phase-based connectivity corresponded to high/low-level sustained attention. In Experiment 2, time-frequency power and phase-based connectivity of theta oscillations were compared between the sham and tACS groups within the time-frequency ROIs determined in Experiment 1. Results showed that phase-based connectivity between pMFC and LPFC significantly decreased in the tACS group compared with the sham group during the first five minutes of the poststimulation period. Moreover, a marginal trend existed that sustained attention was downregulated by tACS in the same time interval, suggesting that theta phase synchronization between pMFC and LPFC may play a causal role in sustained attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinwen Wei
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ziqing Yao
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Dong Ming
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Peng Zhou
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Saito K, Otsuru N, Yokota H, Inukai Y, Miyaguchi S, Kojima S, Onishi H. α-tACS over the somatosensory cortex enhances tactile spatial discrimination in healthy subjects with low alpha activity. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02019. [PMID: 33405361 PMCID: PMC7994706 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spontaneous oscillations in the somatosensory cortex, especially of the alpha (8 - 14 Hz) and gamma (60 - 80 Hz) frequencies, affect tactile perception; moreover, these oscillations can be selectively modulated by frequency-matched transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on the basis of ongoing oscillatory brain activity. To examine whether tACS can actually improve tactile perception via alpha and gamma modulation, we measured the effects of 10-Hz and 70-Hz tACS (α- and γ-tACS) on the left somatosensory cortex on right-finger tactile spatial orientation discrimination, and the associations between performance changes and individual alpha and gamma activities. METHODS Fifteen neurologically healthy subjects were recruited into this study. Electroencephalography (EEG) was performed before the first day, to assess the normal alpha- and gamma-activity levels. A grating orientation discrimination task was performed before and during 10-Hz and 70-Hz tACS. RESULTS The 10-Hz tACS protocol decreased the grating orientation discrimination threshold, primarily in subjects with low alpha event-related synchronization (ERS). In contrast, the 70-Hz tACS had no effect on the grating orientation discrimination threshold. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that 10-Hz tACS can improve tactile orientation discrimination in subjects with low alpha activity. Alpha-frequency tACS may help identify the contributions of these oscillations to other neurophysiological and pathological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kei Saito
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Naofumi Otsuru
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hirotake Yokota
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yasuto Inukai
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shota Miyaguchi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sho Kojima
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yokota H, Otsuru N, Saito K, Kojima S, Miyaguchi S, Inukai Y, Nagasaka K, Onishi H. Region-Specific Effects of 10-Hz Transcranial Alternate Current Stimulation Over the Left Posterior Parietal Cortex and Primary Somatosensory Area on Tactile Two-Point Discrimination Threshold. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:576526. [PMID: 33679291 PMCID: PMC7930224 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.576526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in α-band cortical oscillatory activity (8-13 Hz) affect perception; however, how these changes in the left posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which play different roles in determining the two-point discrimination (TPD) threshold, affect TPD threshold remains unelucidated. Therefore, to determine TPD threshold, we aimed to investigate the function of the left PPC and S1 by applying α-band transcranial alternating current stimulation (α-tACS; 10 Hz). TPD threshold was examined at the pad of the right index finger, contralateral to the stimulation site, in 17 healthy adults using a custom-made, computer-controlled, two-point tactile stimulation device, with random application of either active or sham α-tACS over the left PPC (Experiment 1) and left S1 (Experiment 2). Then, 50% TPD threshold was obtained in the active and sham conditions via logistic regression analysis. Afterward, we compared the difference between the active and sham conditions at 50% TPD threshold in each region and found that α-tACS reduced TPD threshold when applied over the left PPC (P = 0.010); however, its effect was insignificant when applied over the left S1 (P = 0.74). Moreover, a comparison of the change in 50% TPD threshold among the regions revealed that α-tACS applied over the left PPC significantly reduced TPD threshold compared with that applied over the left S1 (P = 0.003). Although we did not reveal the actual changes in cortical activity induced by α-tACS, this is the first empirical evidence that α-tACS applied over the left PPC and left S1 exerts region-specific effects on determining TPD threshold assessed in the contralateral index finger pad by stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotake Yokota
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Naofumi Otsuru
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kei Saito
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sho Kojima
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shota Miyaguchi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yasuto Inukai
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Nagasaka
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
The Modulation of Cognitive Performance with Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation: A Systematic Review of Frequency-Specific Effects. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120932. [PMID: 33276533 PMCID: PMC7761592 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that allows the manipulation of intrinsic brain oscillations. Numerous studies have applied tACS in the laboratory to enhance cognitive performance. With this systematic review, we aim to provide an overview of frequency-specific tACS effects on a range of cognitive functions in healthy adults. This may help to transfer stimulation protocols to real-world applications. We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed and Cochrane databases and considered tACS studies in healthy adults (age > 18 years) that focused on cognitive performance. The search yielded n = 109 studies, of which n = 57 met the inclusion criteria. The results indicate that theta-tACS was beneficial for several cognitive functions, including working memory, executive functions, and declarative memory. Gamma-tACS enhanced performance in both auditory and visual perception but it did not change performance in tasks of executive functions. For attention, the results were less consistent but point to an improvement in performance with alpha- or gamma-tACS. We discuss these findings and point to important considerations that would precede a transfer to real-world applications.
Collapse
|