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Chu M, Li S, Wang Y, Lui SSY, Chan RCK. The effect of noninvasive brain stimulation on anhedonia in patients with schizophrenia and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psych J 2024; 13:166-175. [PMID: 38151800 PMCID: PMC10990806 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.723] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Anhedonia is a transdiagnostic symptom found in patients with schizophrenia and depression. Current pharmacological interventions for anhedonia are unsatisfactory in a considerable proportion of patients. There has been growing interest in applying noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to patients with anhedonia. However, evidence for the efficacy of NIBS for anhedonia remain inconsistent. This study systematically identified all studies that measured anhedonia and applied NIBS in patients with schizophrenia or depression. We conducted a search using the various databases in English (PubMed, EBSCOHost (PsycInfo/PsycArticles), Web of Science) and Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform) languages, and reviewed original research articles on NIBS published from January 1989 to July 2023. Our search had identified 15 articles for quantitative synthesis, with three concerning schizophrenia samples, 11 concerning samples with depression, and one concerning both clinical samples. We conducted a meta-analysis based on the 15 included studies, and the results suggested that NIBS could improve anhedonia symptoms in schizophrenia patients and patients with depression, with a medium-to-large effect size. Our findings are preliminary, given the limited number of included studies. Future NIBS research should measure anhedonia as a primary outcome and should recruit transdiagnostic samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min‐yi Chu
- Shanghai Mental Health CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Shuai‐biao Li
- Shanghai Mental Health CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience LaboratoryCAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Simon S. Y. Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Raymond C. K. Chan
- Shanghai Mental Health CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience LaboratoryCAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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2
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Otero M, Prieur-Coloma Y, El-Deredy W, Weinstein A. A High-Resolution LED Stimulator for Steady-State Visual Stimulation: Customizable, Affordable, and Open Source. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:678. [PMID: 38276370 PMCID: PMC10819381 DOI: 10.3390/s24020678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Visually evoked steady-state potentials (SSVEPs) are neural responses elicited by visual stimuli oscillating at specific frequencies. In this study, we introduce a novel LED stimulator system explicitly designed for steady-state visual stimulation, offering precise control over visual stimulus parameters, including frequency resolution, luminance, and the ability to control the phase at the end of the stimulation. The LED stimulator provides a personalized, modular, and affordable option for experimental setups. Based on the Teensy 3.2 board, the stimulator utilizes direct digital synthesis and pulse width modulation techniques to control the LEDs. We validated its performance through four experiments: the first two measured LED light intensities directly, while the last two assessed the stimulator's impact on EEG recordings. The results demonstrate that the stimulator can deliver a stimulus suitable for generating SSVEPs with the desired frequency and phase resolution. As an open source resource, we provide comprehensive documentation, including all necessary codes and electrical diagrams, which facilitates the system's replication and adaptation for specific experimental requirements, enhancing its potential for widespread use in the field of neuroscience setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Otero
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago de Chile 8420000, Chile;
- Centro BASAL Ciencia & Vida, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago de Chile 8580000, Chile
| | - Yunier Prieur-Coloma
- Brain Dynamics Laboratory, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile; (Y.P.-C.); (W.E.-D.)
- Escuela de Ingeniería Civil Biomédica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Wael El-Deredy
- Brain Dynamics Laboratory, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile; (Y.P.-C.); (W.E.-D.)
- Escuela de Ingeniería Civil Biomédica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
- Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Alejandro Weinstein
- Escuela de Ingeniería Civil Biomédica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
- Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
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3
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Radecke JO, Sprenger A, Stöckler H, Espeter L, Reichhardt MJ, Thomann LS, Erdbrügger T, Buschermöhle Y, Borgwardt S, Schneider TR, Gross J, Wolters CH, Lencer R. Normative tDCS over V5 and FEF reveals practice-induced modulation of extraretinal smooth pursuit mechanisms, but no specific stimulation effect. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21380. [PMID: 38049419 PMCID: PMC10695990 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural networks subserving smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM) provide an ideal model for investigating the interaction of sensory processing and motor control during ongoing movements. To better understand core plasticity aspects of sensorimotor processing for SPEM, normative sham, anodal or cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was applied over visual area V5 and frontal eye fields (FEF) in sixty healthy participants. The identical within-subject paradigm was used to assess SPEM modulations by practice. While no specific tDCS effects were revealed, within- and between-session practice effects indicate plasticity of top-down extraretinal mechanisms that mainly affect SPEM in the absence of visual input and during SPEM initiation. To explore the potential of tDCS effects, individual electric field simulations were computed based on calibrated finite element head models and individual functional localization of V5 and FEF location (using functional MRI) and orientation (using combined EEG/MEG) was conducted. Simulations revealed only limited electric field target intensities induced by the applied normative tDCS montages but indicate the potential efficacy of personalized tDCS for the modulation of SPEM. In sum, results indicate the potential susceptibility of extraretinal SPEM control to targeted external neuromodulation (e.g., personalized tDCS) and intrinsic learning protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Ole Radecke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Andreas Sprenger
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Psychology II, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hannah Stöckler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Lisa Espeter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mandy-Josephine Reichhardt
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Psychology II, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Lara S Thomann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tim Erdbrügger
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Yvonne Buschermöhle
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Borgwardt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Till R Schneider
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Gross
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Carsten H Wolters
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Rebekka Lencer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
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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] [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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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] [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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Pan R, Ye S, Zhong Y, Chen Q, Cai Y. Transcranial alternating current stimulation for the treatment of major depressive disorder: from basic mechanisms toward clinical applications. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1197393. [PMID: 37731669 PMCID: PMC10507344 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1197393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-pharmacological treatment is essential for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) that is medication resistant or who are unable to take medications. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that manipulates neural oscillations. In recent years, tACS has attracted substantial attention for its potential as an MDD treatment. This review summarizes the latest advances in tACS treatment for MDD and outlines future directions for promoting its clinical application. We first introduce the neurophysiological mechanism of tACS and its novel developments. In particular, two well-validated tACS techniques have high application potential: high-definition tACS targeting local brain oscillations and bifocal tACS modulating interarea functional connectivity. Accordingly, we summarize the underlying mechanisms of tACS modulation for MDD. We sort out the local oscillation abnormalities within the reward network and the interarea oscillatory synchronizations among multiple MDD-related networks in MDD patients, which provide potential modulation targets of tACS interventions. Furthermore, we review the latest clinical studies on tACS treatment for MDD, which were based on different modulation mechanisms and reported alleviations in MDD symptoms. Finally, we discuss the main challenges of current tACS treatments for MDD and outline future directions to improve intervention target selection, tACS implementation, and clinical validations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibo Pan
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengfeng Ye
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Zhong
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiaozhen Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Cai
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Radecke JO, Fiene M, Misselhorn J, Herrmann CS, Engel AK, Wolters CH, Schneider TR. Personalized alpha-tACS targeting left posterior parietal cortex modulates visuo-spatial attention and posterior evoked EEG activity. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:1047-1061. [PMID: 37353071 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Covert visuo-spatial attention is marked by the anticipatory lateralization of neuronal alpha activity in the posterior parietal cortex. Previous applications of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the alpha frequency, however, were inconclusive regarding the causal contribution of oscillatory activity during visuo-spatial attention. OBJECTIVE Attentional shifts of behavior and electroencephalography (EEG) after-effects were assessed in a cued visuo-spatial attention paradigm. We hypothesized that parietal alpha-tACS shifts attention relative to the ipsilateral visual hemifield. Furthermore, we assumed that modulations of behavior and neurophysiology are related to individual electric field simulations. METHODS We applied personalized tACS at alpha and gamma frequencies to elucidate the role of oscillatory neuronal activity for visuo-spatial attention. Personalized tACS montages were algorithmically optimized to target individual left and right parietal regions that were defined by an EEG localizer. RESULTS Behavioral performance in the left hemifield was specifically increased by alpha-tACS compared to gamma-tACS targeting the left parietal cortex. This hemisphere-specific effect was observed despite the symmetry of simulated electric fields. In addition, visual event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes showed a reduced lateralization over posterior sites induced by left alpha-tACS. Neuronal sources of this effect were localized in the left premotor cortex. Interestingly, accuracy modulations induced by left parietal alpha-tACS were directly related to electric field magnitudes in the left premotor cortex. CONCLUSION Overall, results corroborate the notion that alpha lateralization plays a causal role in covert visuo-spatial attention and indicate an increased susceptibility of parietal and premotor brain regions of the left dorsal attention network to subtle tACS-neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Ole Radecke
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Marina Fiene
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Misselhorn
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", Germany
| | - Andreas K Engel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carsten H Wolters
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany; Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Till R Schneider
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Karatum O, Han M, Erdogan ET, Karamursel S, Nizamoglu S. Physical mechanisms of emerging neuromodulation modalities. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:031001. [PMID: 37224804 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acd870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
One of the ultimate goals of neurostimulation field is to design materials, devices and systems that can simultaneously achieve safe, effective and tether-free operation. For that, understanding the working mechanisms and potential applicability of neurostimulation techniques is important to develop noninvasive, enhanced, and multi-modal control of neural activity. Here, we review direct and transduction-based neurostimulation techniques by discussing their interaction mechanisms with neurons via electrical, mechanical, and thermal means. We show how each technique targets modulation of specific ion channels (e.g. voltage-gated, mechanosensitive, heat-sensitive) by exploiting fundamental wave properties (e.g. interference) or engineering nanomaterial-based systems for efficient energy transduction. Overall, our review provides a detailed mechanistic understanding of neurostimulation techniques together with their applications toin vitro, in vivo, and translational studies to guide the researchers toward developing more advanced systems in terms of noninvasiveness, spatiotemporal resolution, and clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onuralp Karatum
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Mertcan Han
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Tuna Erdogan
- Department of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Sacit Karamursel
- Department of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Sedat Nizamoglu
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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Haslacher D, Narang A, Sokoliuk R, Cavallo A, Reber P, Nasr K, Santarnecchi E, Soekadar SR. In vivo phase-dependent enhancement and suppression of human brain oscillations by transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Neuroimage 2023:120187. [PMID: 37230205 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can influence perception and behavior, with recent evidence also highlighting its potential impact in clinical settings, but its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Behavioral and indirect physiological evidence indicates that phase-dependent constructive and destructive interference between the applied electric field and brain oscillations at the stimulation frequency may play an important role, but in vivo validation during stimulation was unfeasible because stimulation artifacts impede single-trial assessment of brain oscillations during tACS. Here, we attenuated stimulation artifacts to provide evidence for phase-dependent enhancement and suppression of visually evoked steady state responses (SSR) during amplitude-modulated tACS (AM-tACS). We found that AM-tACS enhanced and suppressed SSR by 5.77 ± 2.95 %, while it enhanced and suppressed corresponding visual perception by 7.99 ± 5.15 %. While not designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of this effect, our study suggests feasibility and superiority of phase-locked (closed-loop) AM-tACS over conventional (open-loop) AM-tACS to purposefully enhance or suppress brain oscillations at specific frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Haslacher
- Clinical Neurotechnology Lab, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Asmita Narang
- Clinical Neurotechnology Lab, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rodika Sokoliuk
- Clinical Neurotechnology Lab, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessia Cavallo
- Clinical Neurotechnology Lab, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Reber
- Clinical Neurotechnology Lab, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Khaled Nasr
- Clinical Neurotechnology Lab, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience and Neuromodulation Program & Network Control Laboratory, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Surjo R Soekadar
- Clinical Neurotechnology Lab, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany..
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10
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He Y, Liu S, Chen L, Ke Y, Ming D. Neurophysiological mechanisms of transcranial alternating current stimulation. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1091925. [PMID: 37090788 PMCID: PMC10117687 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1091925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal oscillations are the primary basis for precise temporal coordination of neuronal processing and are linked to different brain functions. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has demonstrated promising potential in improving cognition by entraining neural oscillations. Despite positive findings in recent decades, the results obtained are sometimes rife with variance and replicability problems, and the findings translation to humans is quite challenging. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying tACS is necessitated for accurate interpretation of experimental results. Animal models are useful for understanding tACS mechanisms, optimizing parameter administration, and improving rational design for broad horizons of tACS. Here, we review recent electrophysiological advances in tACS from animal models, as well as discuss some critical issues for results coordination and translation. We hope to provide an overview of neurophysiological mechanisms and recommendations for future consideration to improve its validity, specificity, and reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen He
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Long Chen
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yufeng Ke
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Ming
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin International Joint Research Center for Neural Engineering, Tianjin, China
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11
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Wischnewski M, Alekseichuk I, Opitz A. Neurocognitive, physiological, and biophysical effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:189-205. [PMID: 36543610 PMCID: PMC9852081 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can modulate human neural activity and behavior. Accordingly, tACS has vast potential for cognitive research and brain disorder therapies. The stimulation generates oscillating electric fields in the brain that can bias neural spike timing, causing changes in local neural oscillatory power and cross-frequency and cross-area coherence. tACS affects cognitive performance by modulating underlying single or nested brain rhythms, local or distal synchronization, and metabolic activity. Clinically, stimulation tailored to abnormal neural oscillations shows promising results in alleviating psychiatric and neurological symptoms. We summarize the findings of tACS mechanisms, its use for cognitive applications, and novel developments for personalized stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles Wischnewski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ivan Alekseichuk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Alexander Opitz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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12
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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] [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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13
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Li T, Chang Y, Zhao S, Jones JA, Chen X, Gan C, Wu X, Dai G, Li J, Shen Y, Liu P, Liu H. The left inferior frontal gyrus is causally linked to vocal feedback control: evidence from high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:5625-5635. [PMID: 36376991 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Current models of speech motor control propose a role for the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in feedforward control of speech production. There is evidence, however, that has implicated the functional relevance of the left IFG for the neuromotor processing of vocal feedback errors. The present event-related potential (ERP) study examined whether the left IFG is causally linked to auditory feedback control of vocal production with high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS). After receiving active or sham HD-tACS over the left IFG at 6 or 70 Hz, 20 healthy adults vocalized the vowel sounds while hearing their voice unexpectedly pitch-shifted by ±200 cents. The results showed that 6 or 70 Hz HD-tACS over the left IFG led to larger magnitudes and longer latencies of vocal compensations for pitch perturbations paralleled by larger ERP P2 responses than sham HD-tACS. Moreover, there was a lack of frequency specificity that showed no significant differences between 6 and 70 Hz HD-tACS. These findings provide first causal evidence linking the left IFG to vocal pitch regulation, suggesting that the left IFG is an important part of the feedback control network that mediates vocal compensations for auditory feedback errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingni Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Yichen Chang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Shuzhi Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Jeffery A Jones
- Wilfrid Laurier University Psychology Department and Laurier Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, , Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5 , Canada
| | - Xi Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Chu Gan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Xiuqin Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Guangyan Dai
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Jingting Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Ying Shen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Rehabilitation Medicine Center, , Nanjing 210029 , China
| | - Peng Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
| | - Hanjun Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, , Guangzhou 510080 , China
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14
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Wu Z, Xu J, Nürnberger A, Sabel BA. Global brain network modularity dynamics after local optic nerve damage following noninvasive brain stimulation: an EEG-tracking study. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:4729-4739. [PMID: 36197322 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac375] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tightly connected clusters of nodes, called communities, interact in a time-dependent manner in brain functional connectivity networks (FCN) to support complex cognitive functions. However, little is known if and how different nodes synchronize their neural interactions to form functional communities ("modules") during visual processing and if and how this modularity changes postlesion (progression or recovery) following neuromodulation. Using the damaged optic nerve as a paradigm, we now studied brain FCN modularity dynamics to better understand module interactions and dynamic reconfigurations before and after neuromodulation with noninvasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). We found that in both patients and controls, local intermodule interactions correlated with visual performance. However, patients' recovery of vision after treatment with rtACS was associated with improved interaction strength of pathways linked to the attention module, and it improved global modularity and increased the stability of FCN. Our results show that temporal coordination of multiple cortical modules and intermodule interaction are functionally relevant for visual processing. This modularity can be neuromodulated with tACS, which induces a more optimal balanced and stable multilayer modular structure for visual processing by enhancing the interaction of neural pathways with the attention network module.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wu
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Haus 65, Leipziger Strasse 44, Magdeburg 39120, Germany.,Data and Knowledge Engineering Group, Faculty of Computer Science, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Gebaeude 29, Universitaetsplatz 2, Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Jiahua Xu
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Haus 65, Leipziger Strasse 44, Magdeburg 39120, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Department Neurology and Stroke, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Andreas Nürnberger
- Data and Knowledge Engineering Group, Faculty of Computer Science, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Gebaeude 29, Universitaetsplatz 2, Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Bernhard A Sabel
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Haus 65, Leipziger Strasse 44, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
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15
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Kvašňák E, Orendáčová M, Vránová J. Phosphene Attributes Depend on Frequency and Intensity of Retinal tACS. Physiol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphene is the experience of light without natural visual stimulation. It can be induced by electrical stimulation of the retina, optic nerve or cortex. Induction of phosphenes can be potentially used in assistive devices for the blind. Analysis of phosphene might be beneficial for practical reasons such as adjustment of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) frequency and intensity to eliminate phosphene perception (e.g., tACS studies using verum tACS group and sham group) or, on the contrary, to maximize perception of phosphenes in order to be more able to study their dynamics. In this study, subjective reports of 50 healthy subjects exposed to different intensities of retinal tACS at 4 different frequencies (6, 10, 20 and 40 Hz) were analyzed. The effectiveness of different tACS frequencies in inducing phosphenes was at least 92 %. Subject reported 41 different phosphene types; the most common were light flashes and light circles. Changing the intensity of stimulation often induced a change in phosphene attributes. Up to nine phosphene attributes changed when the tACS intensity was changed. Significant positive correlation was observed between number of a different phosphene types and tACS frequency. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that tACS is effective in eliciting phosphenes whose type and attributes change depending on the frequency and intensity of tACS. The presented results open new questions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Orendáčová
- Third Faculty of Medicine. Charles University. Ruská 87, 100 00 Prague 10. Czech Republic. E-mail:
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16
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Wang Y, Hou P, Li W, Zhang M, Zheng H, Chen X. The influence of different current-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation on the eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state electroencephalography. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:934382. [PMID: 36061496 PMCID: PMC9429605 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.934382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applies a sinusoidal oscillating current to modulate intrinsic oscillatory activity. Relevant studies of tACS have indicated that tACS can increase spontaneous brain activity in the occipital area. However, few studies have compared the effects of tACS with different current intensities on spontaneous brain activity in the occipital region. In this study, 10-Hz tACS was delivered to the occipital region at different current intensities (i.e., 1 and 2 mA). We investigated the effect of the tACS on both eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). A total of 20 subjects and fifteen subjects were recruited to participate in the 1-mA tACS experiment and the 2-mA tACS experiment, respectively. Ten subjects participated in both experiments. The experimental results demonstrated that both 1-mA tACS and 2-mA tACS could increase occipital resting-state EEG activities. For the eyes-open condition, alpha activity elicited by 2-mA tACS increased significantly greater than that elicited by 1-mA tACS, while 1-mA tACS could produce greater alpha activity compared to 2 mA for the eyes-closed condition. These results suggested that the optimal current intensity might be different for the eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state conditions, laying a foundation for the subsequent study of occipital tACS on task-state EEG activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin, China
- School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peiyun Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingxing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongliang Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaogang Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaogang Chen,
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17
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Nasr K, Haslacher D, Dayan E, Censor N, Cohen LG, Soekadar SR. Breaking the boundaries of interacting with the human brain using adaptive closed-loop stimulation. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 216:102311. [PMID: 35750290 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The human brain is arguably one of the most complex systems in nature. To understand how it operates, it is essential to understand the link between neural activity and behavior. Experimental investigation of that link requires tools to interact with neural activity during behavior. Human neuroscience, however, has been severely bottlenecked by the limitations of these tools. While invasive methods can support highly specific interaction with brain activity during behavior, their applicability in human neuroscience is limited. Despite extensive development in the last decades, noninvasive alternatives have lacked spatial specificity and yielded results that are commonly fraught with variability and replicability issues, along with relatively limited understanding of the neural mechanisms involved. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art in interacting with human brain activity and highlight current limitations and recent efforts to overcome these limitations. Beyond crucial technical and scientific advancements in electromagnetic brain stimulation, new frontiers in interacting with human brain activity such as task-irrelevant sensory stimulation and focal ultrasound stimulation are introduced. Finally, we argue that, along with technological improvements and breakthroughs in noninvasive methods, a paradigm shift towards adaptive closed-loop stimulation will be a critical step for advancing human neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Nasr
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory & Center for Translational Neuromodulation, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Haslacher
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory & Center for Translational Neuromodulation, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eran Dayan
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nitzan Censor
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Leonardo G Cohen
- Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Surjo R Soekadar
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory & Center for Translational Neuromodulation, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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18
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Sadeghihassanabadi F, Misselhorn J, Gerloff C, Zittel-Dirks S. Optimizing the Montage for Cerebellar Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS): a Combined Computational and Experimental Study. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35421852 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac676f] [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: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The application of cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is limited by the absence of commonly agreed montages and also the presence of unpleasant side effects. We aimed to find the most effective cerebellar tACS montage with minimum side effects (skin sensations and phosphenes). APPROACH We first simulated cerebellar tACS with five montages (return electrode on forehead, buccinator, jaw, and neck positions, additionally focal montage with high-definition ring electrodes) to compare induced cerebellar current, then stimulated healthy participants and evaluated side effects for different montages and varying stimulation frequencies. MAIN RESULTS The simulation revealed a descending order of current density in the cerebellum from forehead to buccinator, jaw, neck and ring montage respectively. Montages inducing higher current intensity in the eyeballs during the simulation resulted in stronger and broader phosphenes during tACS sessions. Strong co-stimulation of the brainstem was observed for the neck. Skin sensations did not differ between montages or frequencies. We propose the jaw montage as an optimal choice for maximizing cerebellar stimulation while minimizing unwanted side effects. SIGNIFICANCE These findings contribute to adopting a standard cerebellar tACS protocol. The combination of computational modelling and experimental data offers improved experimental control, safety, effectiveness, and reproducibility to all brain stimulation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sadeghihassanabadi
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Head and Neurocenter, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, Hamburg, 20246, GERMANY
| | - Jonas Misselhorn
- Institut für Neurophysiologie und Pathophysiologie , Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Zentrum für Experimentelle Medizin, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, Hamburg, 20246, GERMANY
| | - Christian Gerloff
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Universitatsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, Hamburg, 20246, GERMANY
| | - Simone Zittel-Dirks
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Head and Neurocenter, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, Hamburg, 20246, GERMANY
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19
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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] [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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20
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Liu B, Yan X, Chen X, Wang Y, Gao X. tACS facilitates flickering driving by boosting steady-state visual evoked potentials. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 34962233 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac3ef3] [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: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective.There has become of increasing interest in transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) since its inception nearly a decade ago. tACS in modulating brain state is an active area of research and has been demonstrated effective in various neuropsychological and clinical domains. In the visual domain, much effort has been dedicated to brain rhythms and rhythmic stimulation, i.e. tACS. However, less is known about the interplay between the rhythmic stimulation and visual stimulation.Approach.Here, we used steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP), induced by flickering driving as a widely used technique for frequency-tagging, to investigate the aftereffect of tACS in healthy human subjects. Seven blocks of 64-channel electroencephalogram were recorded before and after the administration of 20min 10Hz tACS, while subjects performed several blocks of SSVEP tasks. We characterized the physiological properties of tACS aftereffect by comparing and validating the temporal, spatial, spatiotemporal and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) patterns between and within blocks in real tACS and sham tACS.Main results.Our result revealed that tACS boosted the 10Hz SSVEP significantly. Besides, the aftereffect on SSVEP was mitigated with time and lasted up to 5 min.Significance.Our results demonstrate the feasibility of facilitating the flickering driving by external rhythmic stimulation and open a new possibility to alter the brain state in a direction by noninvasive transcranial brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingchuan Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Yan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaogang Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijun Wang
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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21
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Booth SJ, Taylor JR, Brown LJE, Pobric G. The effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on memory performance in healthy adults: A systematic review. Cortex 2021; 147:112-139. [PMID: 35032750 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The recent introduction of Transcranial Alternating Current stimulation (tACS) in research on memory modulation has yielded some exciting findings. Whilst evidence suggests small but significant modulatory effects of tACS on perception and cognition, it is unclear how effective tACS is at modulating memory, and the neural oscillations underlying memory. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy with which tACS, compared to sham stimulation, can modify working memory (WM) and long-term memory (LTM) performance in healthy adults. We examined how these effects may be moderated by specific tACS parameters and study/participant characteristics. Our secondary goal was to investigate the neural correlates of tACS' effects on memory performance in healthy adults. A systematic search of eight databases yielded 11,413 records, resulting in 34 papers that included 104 eligible studies. The results were synthesised by memory type (WM/LTM) and according to the specific parameters of frequency band, stimulation montage, individual variability, cognitive demand, and phase. A second synthesis examined the correspondence between tACS' effects on memory performance and the oscillatory features of electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetencephalography (MEG) recordings in a subset of 26 studies. The results showed a small-to-medium effect of tACS on WM and LTM performance overall. There was strong evidence to suggest that posterior theta-tACS modulates WM performance, whilst the modulation of LTM is achieved by anterior gamma-tACS. Moreover, there was a correspondence between tACS effects on memory performance and oscillatory outcomes at the stimulation frequency. We discuss limitations in the field and suggest ways to improve our understanding of tACS efficacy to ensure a transition of tACS from an investigative method to a therapeutic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Booth
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
| | - Jason R Taylor
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
| | - Laura J E Brown
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
| | - Gorana Pobric
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, England, UK.
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22
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Hussain SJ, Vollmer MK, Stimely J, Norato G, Zrenner C, Ziemann U, Buch ER, Cohen LG. Phase-dependent offline enhancement of human motor memory. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:873-883. [PMID: 34048939 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skill learning engages offline activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). Sensorimotor cortical activity oscillates between excitatory trough and inhibitory peak phases of the mu (8-12 Hz) rhythm. We recently showed that these mu phases influence the magnitude and direction of neuroplasticity induction within M1. However, the contribution of M1 activity during mu peak and trough phases to human skill learning has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of phase-dependent TMS during mu peak and trough phases on offline learning of a newly-acquired motor skill. METHODS On Day 1, three groups of healthy adults practiced an explicit motor sequence learning task with their non-dominant left hand. After practice, phase-dependent TMS was applied to the right M1 during either mu peak or mu trough phases. The third group received sham TMS during random mu phases. On Day 2, all subjects were re-tested on the same task to evaluate offline learning. RESULTS Subjects who received phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases showed increased offline skill learning compared to those who received phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases or sham TMS during random mu phases. Additionally, phase-dependent TMS during mu trough phases elicited stronger whole-brain broadband oscillatory power responses than phase-dependent TMS during mu peak phases. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that sensorimotor mu trough phases reflect brief windows of opportunity during which TMS can strengthen newly-acquired skill memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara J Hussain
- Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science Program, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Mary K Vollmer
- Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Stimely
- Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gina Norato
- Clinical Trials Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christoph Zrenner
- Department of Neurology and Stroke and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology and Stroke and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ethan R Buch
- Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Leonardo G Cohen
- Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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23
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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] [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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24
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Beliaeva V, Savvateev I, Zerbi V, Polania R. Toward integrative approaches to study the causal role of neural oscillations via transcranial electrical stimulation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2243. [PMID: 33854049 PMCID: PMC8047004 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) techniques have recently been developed to elucidate the role of neural oscillations, but critically, it remains questionable whether neural entrainment genuinely occurs and is causally related to the resulting behavior. Here, we provide a perspective on an emerging integrative research program across systems, species, theoretical and experimental frameworks to elucidate the potential of tES to induce neural entrainment. We argue that such an integrative agenda is a requirement to establish tES as a tool to test the causal role of neural oscillations and highlight critical issues that should be considered when adopting a translational approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeriia Beliaeva
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Iurii Savvateev
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valerio Zerbi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rafael Polania
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland.
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25
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van Bree S, Sohoglu E, Davis MH, Zoefel B. Sustained neural rhythms reveal endogenous oscillations supporting speech perception. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001142. [PMID: 33635855 PMCID: PMC7946281 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhythmic sensory or electrical stimulation will produce rhythmic brain responses. These rhythmic responses are often interpreted as endogenous neural oscillations aligned (or "entrained") to the stimulus rhythm. However, stimulus-aligned brain responses can also be explained as a sequence of evoked responses, which only appear regular due to the rhythmicity of the stimulus, without necessarily involving underlying neural oscillations. To distinguish evoked responses from true oscillatory activity, we tested whether rhythmic stimulation produces oscillatory responses which continue after the end of the stimulus. Such sustained effects provide evidence for true involvement of neural oscillations. In Experiment 1, we found that rhythmic intelligible, but not unintelligible speech produces oscillatory responses in magnetoencephalography (MEG) which outlast the stimulus at parietal sensors. In Experiment 2, we found that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) leads to rhythmic fluctuations in speech perception outcomes after the end of electrical stimulation. We further report that the phase relation between electroencephalography (EEG) responses and rhythmic intelligible speech can predict the tACS phase that leads to most accurate speech perception. Together, we provide fundamental results for several lines of research-including neural entrainment and tACS-and reveal endogenous neural oscillations as a key underlying principle for speech perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander van Bree
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology and Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ediz Sohoglu
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew H. Davis
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Benedikt Zoefel
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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26
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Elyamany O, Leicht G, Herrmann CS, Mulert C. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS): from basic mechanisms towards first applications in psychiatry. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 271:135-156. [PMID: 33211157 PMCID: PMC7867505 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-020-01209-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a unique form of non-invasive brain stimulation. Sinusoidal alternating electric currents are delivered to the scalp to affect mostly cortical neurons. tACS is supposed to modulate brain function and, in turn, cognitive processes by entraining brain oscillations and inducing long-term synaptic plasticity. Therefore, tACS has been investigated in cognitive neuroscience, but only recently, it has been also introduced in psychiatric clinical trials. This review describes current concepts and first findings of applying tACS as a potential therapeutic tool in the field of psychiatry. The current understanding of its mechanisms of action is explained, bridging cellular neuronal activity and the brain network mechanism. Revisiting the relevance of altered brain oscillations found in six major psychiatric disorders, putative targets for the management of mental disorders using tACS are discussed. A systematic literature search on PubMed was conducted to report findings of the clinical studies applying tACS in patients with psychiatric conditions. In conclusion, the initial results may support the feasibility of tACS in clinical psychiatric populations without serious adverse events. Moreover, these results showed the ability of tACS to reset disturbed brain oscillations, and thus to improve behavioural outcomes. In addition to its potential therapeutic role, the reactivity of the brain circuits to tACS could serve as a possible tool to determine the diagnosis, classification or prognosis of psychiatric disorders. Future double-blind randomised controlled trials are necessary to answer currently unresolved questions. They may aim to detect response predictors and control for various confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Elyamany
- Centre of Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig University, Klinikstrasse 36, 35392, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
- Centre for Mind, Brain and Behaviour (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gregor Leicht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph S Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Centre for Excellence "Hearing4all," European Medical School, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Research Centre Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
| | - Christoph Mulert
- Centre of Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig University, Klinikstrasse 36, 35392, Giessen, Hessen, Germany.
- Centre for Mind, Brain and Behaviour (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany.
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27
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Zarubin G, Gundlach C, Nikulin V, Villringer A, Bogdan M. Transient Amplitude Modulation of Alpha-Band Oscillations by Short-Time Intermittent Closed-Loop tACS. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:366. [PMID: 33100993 PMCID: PMC7500443 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques such as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) have recently become extensively utilized due to their potential to modulate ongoing neuronal oscillatory activity and consequently to induce cortical plasticity relevant for various cognitive functions. However, the neurophysiological basis for stimulation effects as well as their inter-individual differences is not yet understood. In the present study, we used a closed-loop electroencephalography-tACS(EEG-tACS) protocol to examine the modulation of alpha oscillations generated in occipito-parietal areas. In particular, we investigated the effects of a repeated short-time intermittent stimulation protocol (1 s in every trial) applied over the visual cortex (Cz and Oz) and adjusted according to the phase and frequency of visual alpha oscillations on the amplitude of these oscillations. Based on previous findings, we expected higher increases in alpha amplitudes for tACS applied in-phase with ongoing oscillations as compared to an application in anti-phase and this modulation to be present in low-alpha amplitude states of the visual system (eyes opened, EO) but not high (eyes closed, EC). Contrary to our expectations, we found a transient suppression of alpha power in inter-individually derived spatially specific parieto-occipital components obtained via the estimation of spatial filters by using the common spatial patterns approach. The amplitude modulation was independent of the phase relationship between the tACS signal and alpha oscillations, and the state of the visual system manipulated via closed- and open-eye conditions. It was also absent in conventionally analyzed single-channel and multi-channel data from an average parieto-occipital region. The fact that the tACS modulation of oscillations was phase-independent suggests that mechanisms driving the effects of tACS may not be explained by entrainment alone, but rather require neuroplastic changes or transient disruption of neural oscillations. Our study also supports the notion that the response to tACS is subject-specific, where the modulatory effects are shaped by the interplay between the stimulation and different alpha generators. This favors stimulation protocols as well as analysis regimes exploiting inter-individual differences, such as spatial filters to reveal otherwise hidden stimulation effects and, thereby, comprehensively induce and study the effects and underlying mechanisms of tACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgy Zarubin
- Technical Informatics Department, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christopher Gundlach
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vadim Nikulin
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Centre for Cognition and Decision Making, Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Neurophysics Group, Department of Neurology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Mind Brain Body Institute at the Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Bogdan
- Technical Informatics Department, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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