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Ciricugno A, Oldrati V, Cattaneo Z, Leggio M, Urgesi C, Olivito G. Cerebellar Neurostimulation for Boosting Social and Affective Functions: Implications for the Rehabilitation of Hereditary Ataxia Patients. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:1651-1677. [PMID: 38270782 PMCID: PMC11269351 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01652-z] [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] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Beyond motor deficits, spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) patients also suffer cognitive decline and show socio-affective difficulties, negatively impacting on their social functioning. The possibility to modulate cerebello-cerebral networks involved in social cognition through cerebellar neurostimulation has opened up potential therapeutic applications for ameliorating social and affective difficulties. The present review offers an overview of the research on cerebellar neurostimulation for the modulation of socio-affective functions in both healthy individuals and different clinical populations, published in the time period 2000-2022. A total of 25 records reporting either transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies were found. The investigated clinical populations comprised different pathological conditions, including but not limited to SCA syndromes. The reviewed evidence supports that cerebellar neurostimulation is effective in improving social abilities in healthy individuals and reducing social and affective symptoms in different neurological and psychiatric populations associated with cerebellar damage or with impairments in functions that involve the cerebellum. These findings encourage to further explore the rehabilitative effects of cerebellar neurostimulation on socio-affective deficits experienced by patients with cerebellar abnormalities, as SCA patients. Nevertheless, conclusions remain tentative at this stage due to the heterogeneity characterizing stimulation protocols, study methodologies and patients' samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ciricugno
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Viola Oldrati
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Zaira Cattaneo
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Maria Leggio
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Ataxia Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Cosimo Urgesi
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Giusy Olivito
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Ataxia Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, 00179, Rome, Italy
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Luber B, Beynel L, Deng ZD, Appelbaum LG, Jones T, Harrison A, Murphy DLK, Lo E, McKinley RA, Lisanby SH. Site- and frequency-specific enhancement of visual search performance with online individual alpha frequency (IAF) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the inferior frontal junction. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae371. [PMID: 39285717 PMCID: PMC11405677 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae371] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to either the right inferior frontal junction or the right inferior parietal cortex during a difficult aerial reconnaissance search task to test its capacity to improve search performance. Two stimulation strategies previously found to enhance cognitive performance were tested: The first is called "addition by subtraction," and the second condition utilizes a direct excitatory approach by applying brief trains of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation immediately before task trials. In a within-subjects design, participants were given active or sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at either 1 Hz or at 1 Hz above their individual peak alpha frequency (IAF + 1, mean 11.5 Hz), delivered to either the right inferior frontal junction or the right inferior parietal cortex, both defined with individualized peak functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation obtained during the visual search task. Results indicated that among the 13 participants who completed the protocol, only active IAF + 1 stimulation to inferior frontal junction resulted in significant speeding of reaction time compared to sham. This site- and frequency-specific enhancement of performance with IAF + 1 repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied immediately prior to task trials provides evidence for the involvement of inferior frontal junction in guiding difficult visual search, and more generally for the use of online repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation directed at specific functional networks to enhance visual search performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Luber
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit (NNU), Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10, Room 2D39B, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lysianne Beynel
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit (NNU), Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10, Room 2D39B, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zhi-De Deng
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit (NNU), Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10, Room 2D39B, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lawrence Gregory Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, 9500 Gilman Drive, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tristan Jones
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Duke University School of Medicine, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Box 3620, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Austin Harrison
- Manhattan Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 315 Madison Avenue, Suite 806, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - David L K Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Duke University School of Medicine, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Box 3620, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Eric Lo
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Richard A McKinley
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 1864 4th St, OH 45433, USA
| | - Sarah H Lisanby
- Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit (NNU), Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10, Room 2D39B, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Vergallito A, Gesi C, Torriero S. Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation Combined with Cognitive Training to Improve Negative Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:683. [PMID: 39061423 PMCID: PMC11274516 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070683] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder severely affecting patients' functioning and quality of life. Unlike positive symptoms, cognitive impairment and negative symptoms cannot be treated pharmacologically and represent consistent predictors of the illness's prognosis. Cognitive remediation (CR) interventions have been applied to target these symptoms. Brain stimulation also provides promising yet preliminary results in reducing negative symptoms, whereas its effect on cognitive impairment remains heterogeneous. Here, we combined intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) with CR to improve negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia spectrum patients. One hundred eligible patients were invited, and twenty-one participated. We randomized them into four groups, manipulating the stimulation condition (real vs. sham) and CR (no training vs. training). We delivered fifteen iTBS sessions over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for three weeks, followed (or not) by 50 min of training. Consensus-based clinical and cognitive assessment was administered at baseline and after the treatment, plus at three follow-ups occurring one, three, and six months after the intervention. Mixed-model analyses were run on cognitive and negative symptom scores. The preliminary findings highlighted a marginal modulation of iTBS on negative symptoms, whereas CR improved isolated cognitive functions. We herein discuss the limitations and strengths of the methodological approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Vergallito
- Department of Psychology & Neuromi, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Gesi
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy (S.T.)
| | - Sara Torriero
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy (S.T.)
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Forbes E, Hassien A, Tan RJ, Wang D, Lega B. Modulation of hippocampal theta oscillations via deep brain stimulation of the parietal cortex depends on cognitive state. Cortex 2024; 175:28-40. [PMID: 38691923 PMCID: PMC11221570 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.03.010] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The angular gyrus (AG) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) demonstrate extensive structural and functional connectivity with the hippocampus and other core recollection network regions. Consequently, recent studies have explored neuromodulation targeting these and other regions as a potential strategy for restoring function in memory disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease. However, determining the optimal approach for neuromodulatory devices requires understanding how parameters like selected stimulation site, cognitive state during modulation, and stimulation duration influence the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on electrophysiological features relevant to episodic memory. We report experimental data examining the effects of high-frequency stimulation delivered to the AG or PCC on hippocampal theta oscillations during the memory encoding (study) or retrieval (test) phases of an episodic memory task. Results showed selective enhancement of anterior hippocampal slow theta oscillations with stimulation of the AG preferentially during memory retrieval. Conversely, stimulation of the PCC attenuated slow theta oscillations. We did not observe significant behavioral effects in this (open-loop) stimulation experiment, suggesting that neuromodulation strategies targeting episodic memory performance may require more temporally precise stimulation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Forbes
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Alexa Hassien
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Ryan Joseph Tan
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - David Wang
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Bradley Lega
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
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Hermiller MS. Effects of continuous versus intermittent theta-burst TMS on fMRI connectivity. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1380583. [PMID: 38883322 PMCID: PMC11177618 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1380583] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive technique that can be used to evoke distributed network-level effects. Previous work demonstrated that the Hippocampal-Cortical Network responds preferably (i.e., greater memory improvement and increases in hippocampal-network connectivity) to continuous theta-burst stimulation protocol relative to intermittent theta-burst and to 20-Hz rTMS. Here, these data were further analyzed to characterize effects of continuous versus intermittent theta-burst stimulation on network-level connectivity measures - as well as local connectedness - via resting-state fMRI. In contrast to theories that propose continuous and intermittent theta-burst cause local inhibitory versus excitatory effects, respectively, both protocols caused local decreases in fMRI connectivity around the stimulated parietal site. While iTBS caused decreases in connectivity across the hippocampal-cortical network, cTBS caused increases and decreases in connectivity across the network. cTBS had no effect on the parietal-cortical network, whereas iTBS caused decreases in the right parietal cortex (contralateral hemisphere to the stimulation target). These findings suggest that continuous theta-burst may have entrained the endogenous hippocampal-cortical network, whereas the intermittent train was unable to maintain entrainment that may have yielded the long-lasting effects measured in this study (i.e., within 20-min post-stimulation). Furthermore, these effects were specific to the hippocampal-cortical network, which has a putative endogenous functionally-relevant theta rhythm, and not to the parietal network. These results add to the growing body of evidence that suggests effects of theta-burst stimulation are not fully characterized by excitatory/inhibitory theories. Further work is required to understand local and network-level effects of noninvasive stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly S Hermiller
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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Riddle J, McPherson T, Sheikh A, Shin H, Hadar E, Frohlich F. Internal Representations Are Prioritized by Frontoparietal Theta Connectivity and Suppressed by alpha Oscillation Dynamics: Evidence from Concurrent Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation EEG and Invasive EEG. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1381232024. [PMID: 38395616 PMCID: PMC11007311 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1381-23.2024] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Control over internal representations requires the prioritization of relevant information and suppression of irrelevant information. The frontoparietal network exhibits prominent neural oscillations during these distinct cognitive processes. Yet, the causal role of this network-scale activity is unclear. Here, we targeted theta-frequency frontoparietal coherence and dynamic alpha oscillations in the posterior parietal cortex using online rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in women and men while they prioritized or suppressed internally maintained working memory (WM) representations. Using concurrent high-density EEG, we provided evidence that we acutely drove the targeted neural oscillation and TMS improved WM capacity only when the evoked activity corresponded with the desired cognitive process. To suppress an internal representation, we increased the amplitude of lateralized alpha oscillations in the posterior parietal cortex contralateral to the irrelevant visual field. For prioritization, we found that TMS to the prefrontal cortex increased theta-frequency connectivity in the prefrontoparietal network contralateral to the relevant visual field. To understand the spatial specificity of these effects, we administered the WM task to participants with implanted electrodes. We found that theta connectivity during prioritization was directed from the lateral prefrontal to the superior posterior parietal cortex. Together, these findings provide causal evidence in support of a model where a frontoparietal theta network prioritizes internally maintained representations and alpha oscillations in the posterior parietal cortex suppress irrelevant representations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32304
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Trevor McPherson
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92161
| | - Atif Sheikh
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Haewon Shin
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Eldad Hadar
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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Whittaker HT, Khayyat L, Fortier-Lavallée J, Laverdière M, Bélanger C, Zatorre RJ, Albouy P. Information-based rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate learning during auditory working memory training: a proof-of-concept study. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1355565. [PMID: 38638697 PMCID: PMC11024337 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1355565] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (rhTMS) has been shown to enhance auditory working memory manipulation, specifically by boosting theta oscillatory power in the dorsal auditory pathway during task performance. It remains unclear whether these enhancements (i) persist beyond the period of stimulation, (ii) if they can accelerate learning and (iii) if they would accumulate over several days of stimulation. In the present study, we investigated the lasting behavioral and electrophysiological effects of applying rhTMS over the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) throughout the course of seven sessions of cognitive training on an auditory working memory task. Methods A limited sample of 14 neurologically healthy participants took part in the training protocol with an auditory working memory task while being stimulated with either theta (5 Hz) rhTMS or sham TMS. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before, throughout five training sessions and after the end of training to assess to effects of rhTMS on behavioral performance and on oscillatory entrainment of the dorsal auditory network. Results We show that this combined approach enhances theta oscillatory activity within the fronto-parietal network and causes improvements in auditoryworking memory performance. We show that compared to individuals who received sham stimulation, cognitive training can be accelerated when combined with optimized rhTMS, and that task performance benefits can outlast the training period by ∼ 3 days. Furthermore, we show that there is increased theta oscillatory power within the recruited dorsal auditory network during training, and that sustained EEG changes can be observed ∼ 3 days following stimulation. Discussion The present study, while underpowered for definitive statistical analyses, serves to improve our understanding of the causal dynamic interactions supporting auditory working memory. Our results constitute an important proof of concept for the potential translational impact of non-invasive brain stimulation protocols and provide preliminary data for developing optimized rhTMS and training protocols that could be implemented in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather T. Whittaker
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS) - Centre for Research on Brain Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lina Khayyat
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Megan Laverdière
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Carole Bélanger
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Robert J. Zatorre
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS) - Centre for Research on Brain Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Philippe Albouy
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS) - Centre for Research on Brain Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
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Tarasi L, Romei V. Individual Alpha Frequency Contributes to the Precision of Human Visual Processing. J Cogn Neurosci 2024; 36:602-613. [PMID: 37382485 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_02026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Brain oscillatory activity within the alpha band has been associated with a wide range of processes encompassing perception, memory, decision-making, and overall cognitive functioning. Individual alpha frequency (IAF) is a specific parameter accounting for the mean velocity of the alpha cycling activity, conventionally ranging between ∼7 and ∼13 Hz. One influential hypothesis has proposed a fundamental role of this cycling activity in the segmentation of sensory input and in the regulation of the speed of sensory processing, with faster alpha oscillations resulting in greater temporal resolution and more refined perceptual experience. However, although several recent theoretical and empirical studies would support this account, contradictory evidence suggests caution and more systematic approaches in the assessment and interpretation of this hypothesis. For example, it remains to be explored to what degree IAF shapes perceptual outcomes. In the present study, we investigated whether inter-individual differences in bias-free visual contrast detection threshold in a large sample of individuals in the general population (n = 122) could be explained by inter-individual differences in alpha pace. Our results show that the contrast needed to correctly identify target stimuli (individual perceptual threshold) is associated with alpha peak frequency (not amplitude). Specifically, individuals who require reduced contrast show higher IAF than individuals requiring higher contrasts. This suggests that inter-individual differences in alpha frequency contribute to performance variability in low-level perceptual tasks, supporting the hypothesis that IAF underlies a fundamental temporal sampling mechanism that shapes visual objective performance, with higher frequencies promoting enhanced sensory evidence per time unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Tarasi
- Università di Bologna and Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Università di Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Università di Bologna and Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Università di Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid, Spain
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Riddle J, Schooler JW. Hierarchical consciousness: the Nested Observer Windows model. Neurosci Conscious 2024; 2024:niae010. [PMID: 38504828 PMCID: PMC10949963 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Foremost in our experience is the intuition that we possess a unified conscious experience. However, many observations run counter to this intuition: we experience paralyzing indecision when faced with two appealing behavioral choices, we simultaneously hold contradictory beliefs, and the content of our thought is often characterized by an internal debate. Here, we propose the Nested Observer Windows (NOW) Model, a framework for hierarchical consciousness wherein information processed across many spatiotemporal scales of the brain feeds into subjective experience. The model likens the mind to a hierarchy of nested mosaic tiles-where an image is composed of mosaic tiles, and each of these tiles is itself an image composed of mosaic tiles. Unitary consciousness exists at the apex of this nested hierarchy where perceptual constructs become fully integrated and complex behaviors are initiated via abstract commands. We define an observer window as a spatially and temporally constrained system within which information is integrated, e.g. in functional brain regions and neurons. Three principles from the signal analysis of electrical activity describe the nested hierarchy and generate testable predictions. First, nested observer windows disseminate information across spatiotemporal scales with cross-frequency coupling. Second, observer windows are characterized by a high degree of internal synchrony (with zero phase lag). Third, observer windows at the same spatiotemporal level share information with each other through coherence (with non-zero phase lag). The theoretical framework of the NOW Model accounts for a wide range of subjective experiences and a novel approach for integrating prominent theories of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W Call St, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
| | - Jonathan W Schooler
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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Figueroa-Vargas A, Góngora B, Alonso MF, Ortega A, Soto-Fernández P, Z-Rivera L, Ramírez S, González F, Muñoz Venturelli P, Billeke P. The effect of a cognitive training therapy based on stimulation of brain oscillations in patients with mild cognitive impairment in a Chilean sample: study protocol for a phase IIb, 2 × 3 mixed factorial, double-blind randomised controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:144. [PMID: 38395980 PMCID: PMC10885461 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-07972-7] [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: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ageing population has increased the prevalence of disabling and high-cost diseases, such as dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The latter can be considered a prodromal phase of some dementias and a critical stage for interventions to postpone the impairment of functionality. Working memory (WM) is a pivotal cognitive function, representing the fundamental element of executive functions. This project proposes an intervention protocol to enhance WM in these users, combining cognitive training with transcranial electrical stimulation of alternating current (tACS). This technique has been suggested to enhance the neuronal plasticity needed for cognitive processes involving oscillatory patterns. WM stands to benefit significantly from this approach, given its well-defined electrophysiological oscillations. Therefore, tACS could potentially boost WM in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS This study is a phase IIb randomised, double-blind clinical trial with a 3-month follow-up period. The study participants will be 62 participants diagnosed with MCI, aged over 60, from Valparaíso, Chile. Participants will receive an intervention combining twelve cognitive training sessions with tACS. Participants will receive either tACS or placebo stimulation in eight out of twelve training sessions. Sessions will occur twice weekly over 6 weeks. The primary outcomes will be electroencephalographic measurements through the prefrontal theta oscillatory activity, while the secondary effects will be cognitive assessments of WM. The participants will be evaluated before, immediately after, and 3 months after the end of the intervention. DISCUSSION The outcomes of this trial will add empirical evidence about the benefits and feasibility of an intervention that combines cognitive training with non-invasive brain stimulation. The objective is to contribute tools for optimal cognitive treatment in patients with MCI. To enhance WM capacity, postpone the impairment of functionality, and obtain a better quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05291208. Registered on 28 February 2022. ISRCTN87597719 retrospectively registered on 15 September 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Figueroa-Vargas
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación del Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio LaNCE, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Begoña Góngora
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - María Francisca Alonso
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Alonso Ortega
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Patricio Soto-Fernández
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Lucía Z-Rivera
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Sebastián Ramírez
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Francisca González
- Centro de Estudios Clínicos, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paula Muñoz Venturelli
- Centro de Estudios Clínicos, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Billeke
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación del Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
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Faralli A, Fucà E, Lazzaro G, Menghini D, Vicari S, Costanzo F. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in neurogenetic syndromes: new treatment perspectives for Down syndrome? Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1328963. [PMID: 38456063 PMCID: PMC10917937 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1328963] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This perspective review aims to explore the potential neurobiological mechanisms involved in the application of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Down syndrome (DS), the leading cause of genetically-based intellectual disability. The neural mechanisms underlying tDCS interventions in genetic disorders, typically characterized by cognitive deficits, are grounded in the concept of brain plasticity. We initially present the neurobiological and functional effects elicited by tDCS applications in enhancing neuroplasticity and in regulating the excitatory/inhibitory balance, both associated with cognitive improvement in the general population. The review begins with evidence on tDCS applications in five neurogenetic disorders, including Rett, Prader-Willi, Phelan-McDermid, and Neurofibromatosis 1 syndromes, as well as DS. Available evidence supports tDCS as a potential intervention tool and underscores the importance of advancing neurobiological research into the mechanisms of tDCS action in these conditions. We then discuss the potential of tDCS as a promising non-invasive strategy to mitigate deficits in plasticity and promote fine-tuning of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in DS, exploring implications for cognitive treatment perspectives in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Faralli
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Fucà
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Lazzaro
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Deny Menghini
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Life Sciences and Public Health Department, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Floriana Costanzo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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12
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Vergallito A, Gramano B, La Monica K, Giuliani L, Palumbo D, Gesi C, Torriero S. Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with training to improve social cognition impairment in schizophrenia: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1308971. [PMID: 38445059 PMCID: PMC10912559 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1308971] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder that profoundly impacts patients' everyday lives. The illness's core features include positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. In particular, deficits in the social cognition domain showed a tighter connection to patients' everyday functioning than the other symptoms. Social remediation interventions have been developed, providing heterogeneous results considering the possibility of generalizing the acquired improvements in patients' daily activities. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we investigated the feasibility of combining fifteen daily cognitive and social training sessions with non-invasive brain stimulation to boost the effectiveness of the two interventions. We delivered intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Twenty-one patients were randomized into four groups, varying for the assigned stimulation condition (real vs. sham iTBS) and the type of cognitive intervention (training vs. no training). Clinical symptoms and social cognition tests were administered at five time points, i.e., before and after the treatment, and at three follow-ups at one, three, and six months after the treatments' end. Preliminary data show a trend in improving the competence in managing emotion in participants performing the training. Conversely, no differences were found in pre and post-treatment scores for emotion recognition, theory of mind, and attribution of intentions scores. The iTBS intervention did not induce additional effects on individuals' performance. The methodological approach's novelty and limitations of the present study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bianca Gramano
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Kevin La Monica
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Giuliani
- Department of Psychiatry, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Palumbo
- Department of Psychiatry, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Camilla Gesi
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Torriero
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
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13
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Joshi SD, Ruffini G, Nuttall HE, Watson DG, Braithwaite JJ. Optimised Multi-Channel Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (MtDCS) Reveals Differential Involvement of the Right-Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex (rVLPFC) and Insular Complex in those Predisposed to Aberrant Experiences. Conscious Cogn 2024; 117:103610. [PMID: 38056338 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2023.103610] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Research has shown a prominent role for cortical hyperexcitability underlying aberrant perceptions, hallucinations, and distortions in human conscious experience - even in neurotypical groups. The rVLPFC has been identified as an important structure in mediating cognitive affective states / feeling conscious states. The current study examined the involvement of the rVLPFC in mediating cognitive affective states in those predisposed to aberrant experiences in the neurotypical population. Participants completed two trait-based measures: (i) the Cortical Hyperexcitability Index_II (CHi_II, a proxy measure of cortical hyperexcitability) and (ii) two factors from the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale (CDS). An optimised 7-channel MtDCS montage for stimulation conditions (Anodal, Cathodal and Sham) was created targeting the rVLPFC in a single-blind study. At the end of each stimulation session, participants completed a body-threat task (BTAB) while skin conductance responses (SCRs) and psychological responses were recorded. Participants with signs of increasing cortical hyperexcitability showed significant suppression of SCRs in the Cathodal stimulation relative to the Anodal and sSham conditions. Those high on the trait-based measures of depersonalisation-like experiences failed to show reliable effects. Collectively, the findings suggest that baseline brain states can mediate the effects of neurostimulation which would be missed via sample level averaging and without appropriate measures for stratifying individual differences.
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14
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Goldenkoff ER, Deluisi JA, Destiny DP, Lee TG, Michon KJ, Brissenden JA, Taylor SF, Polk TA, Vesia M. The behavioral and neural effects of parietal theta burst stimulation on the grasp network are stronger during a grasping task than at rest. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1198222. [PMID: 37954875 PMCID: PMC10637360 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1198222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is widely used in neuroscience and clinical settings to modulate human cortical activity. The effects of TMS on neural activity depend on the excitability of specific neural populations at the time of stimulation. Accordingly, the brain state at the time of stimulation may influence the persistent effects of repetitive TMS on distal brain activity and associated behaviors. We applied intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to a region in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) associated with grasp control to evaluate the interaction between stimulation and brain state. Across two experiments, we demonstrate the immediate responses of motor cortex activity and motor performance to state-dependent parietal stimulation. We randomly assigned 72 healthy adult participants to one of three TMS intervention groups, followed by electrophysiological measures with TMS and behavioral measures. Participants in the first group received iTBS to PPC while performing a grasping task concurrently. Participants in the second group received iTBS to PPC while in a task-free, resting state. A third group of participants received iTBS to a parietal region outside the cortical grasping network while performing a grasping task concurrently. We compared changes in motor cortical excitability and motor performance in the three stimulation groups within an hour of each intervention. We found that parietal stimulation during a behavioral manipulation that activates the cortical grasping network increased downstream motor cortical excitability and improved motor performance relative to stimulation during rest. We conclude that constraining the brain state with a behavioral task during brain stimulation has the potential to optimize plasticity induction in cortical circuit mechanisms that mediate movement processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph A. Deluisi
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Danielle P. Destiny
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Taraz G. Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Katherine J. Michon
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - James A. Brissenden
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Stephan F. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Thad A. Polk
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Michael Vesia
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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15
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Abstract
Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques are widely used tools for the study and rehabilitation of cognitive functions. Different NIBS approaches aim to enhance or impair different cognitive processes. The methodological focus for achieving this has been on stimulation protocols that are considered either inhibitory or facilitatory. However, despite more than three decades of use, their application is based on incomplete and overly simplistic conceptualizations of mechanisms of action. Such misconception limits the usefulness of these approaches in the basic science and clinical domains. In this review, we challenge this view by arguing that stimulation protocols themselves are neither inhibitory nor facilitatory. Instead, we suggest that all induced effects reflect complex interactions of internal and external factors. Given these considerations, we present a novel model in which we conceptualize NIBS effects as an interaction between brain activity and the characteristics of the external stimulus. This interactive model can explain various phenomena in the brain stimulation literature that have been considered unexpected or paradoxical. We argue that these effects no longer seem paradoxical when considered from the viewpoint of state dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gesa Hartwigsen
- Lise Meitner Research Group Cognition and Plasticity, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juha Silvanto
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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16
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Trajkovic J, Romei V, Rushworth MFS, Sel A. Changing connectivity between premotor and motor cortex changes inter-areal communication in the human brain. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 228:102487. [PMID: 37353108 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The ventral premotor cortex (PMv) is an important component of cortico-cortical pathways mediating prefrontal control over primary motor cortex (M1) function. Paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) is known to change PMv influence over M1 in humans, which manifests differently depending on the behavioural context. Here we show that these changes in influence are functionally linked to PMv-M1 phase synchrony changes induced by repeated paired stimulation of the two areas. PMv-to-M1 ccPAS leads to increased phase synchrony in alpha and beta bands, while reversed order M1-to-PMv ccPAS leads to decreased theta phase synchrony. These changes are visible at rest but are predictive of changes in oscillatory power in the same frequencies during movement execution and inhibition, respectively. The results unveil a link between the physiology of the motor network and the resonant frequencies mediating its interactions and provide a putative mechanism underpinning the relationship between synaptic efficacy and brain oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Trajkovic
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Netherlands
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy; Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid, 28015, Spain
| | - Matthew F S Rushworth
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN), Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3UD, UK
| | - Alejandra Sel
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN), Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3UD, UK; Centre for Brain Science, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
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17
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Bertaccini R, Ippolito G, Tarasi L, Zazio A, Stango A, Bortoletto M, Romei V. Rhythmic TMS as a Feasible Tool to Uncover the Oscillatory Signatures of Audiovisual Integration. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1746. [PMID: 37371840 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061746] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multisensory integration is quintessential to adaptive behavior, with clinical populations showing significant impairments in this domain, most notably hallucinatory reports. Interestingly, altered cross-modal interactions have also been reported in healthy individuals when engaged in tasks such as the Sound-Induced Flash-Illusion (SIFI). The temporal dynamics of the SIFI have been recently tied to the speed of occipital alpha rhythms (IAF), with faster oscillations entailing reduced temporal windows within which the illusion is experienced. In this regard, entrainment-based protocols have not yet implemented rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation (rhTMS) to causally test for this relationship. It thus remains to be evaluated whether rhTMS-induced acoustic and somatosensory sensations may not specifically interfere with the illusion. Here, we addressed this issue by asking 27 volunteers to perform a SIFI paradigm under different Sham and active rhTMS protocols, delivered over the occipital pole at the IAF. Although TMS has been proven to act upon brain tissues excitability, results show that the SIFI occurred for both Sham and active rhTMS, with the illusory rate not being significantly different between baseline and stimulation conditions. This aligns with the discrete sampling hypothesis, for which alpha amplitude modulation, known to reflect changes in cortical excitability, should not account for changes in the illusory rate. Moreover, these findings highlight the viability of rhTMS-based interventions as a means to probe the neuroelectric signatures of illusory and hallucinatory audiovisual experiences, in healthy and neuropsychiatric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Bertaccini
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Neurophysiology Lab., IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Luca Tarasi
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Agnese Zazio
- Neurophysiology Lab., IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonietta Stango
- Neurophysiology Lab., IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marta Bortoletto
- Neurophysiology Lab., IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, 28015 Madrid, Spain
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18
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Trajkovic J, Di Gregorio F, Avenanti A, Thut G, Romei V. Two Oscillatory Correlates of Attention Control in the Alpha-Band with Distinct Consequences on Perceptual Gain and Metacognition. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3548-3556. [PMID: 37019621 PMCID: PMC10184728 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1827-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral consequences and neural underpinnings of visuospatial attention have long been investigated. Classical studies using the Posner paradigm have found that visual perception systematically benefits from the use of a spatially informative cue pointing to the to-be-attended spatial location, compared with a noninformative cue. Lateralized α amplitude modulation during visuospatial attention shifts has been suggested to account for such perceptual gain. However, recent studies on spontaneous fluctuations of prestimulus α amplitude have challenged this notion. These studies showed that spontaneous fluctuations of prestimulus α amplitude were associated with the subjective appreciation of stimulus occurrence, while objective accuracy was instead best predicted by the frequency of α oscillations, with faster prestimulus α frequency accounting for better perceptual performance. Here, in male and female humans, by using an informative cue in anticipation of lateralized stimulus presentation, we found that the predictive cue not only modulates preparatory α amplitude but also α frequency in a retinotopic manner. Behaviorally, the cue significantly impacted subjective performance measures (metacognitive abilities [meta-d']) and objective performance gain (d'). Importantly, α amplitude directly accounted for confidence levels, with ipsilateral synchronization and contralateral desynchronization coding for high-confidence responses. Crucially, the contralateral α amplitude selectively predicted interindividual differences in metacognitive abilities (meta-d'), thus anticipating decision strategy and not perceptual sensitivity, probably via excitability modulations. Instead, higher perceptual accuracy both within and across participants (d') was associated with faster contralateral α frequency, likely by implementing higher sampling at the attended location. These findings provide critical new insights into the neural mechanisms of attention control and its perceptual consequences.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prior knowledge serves the anticipation of sensory input to reduce sensory ambiguity. The growing interest in the neural mechanisms governing the integration of sensory input into our internal representations has highlighted a pivotal role of brain oscillations. Here we show that distinct but interacting oscillatory mechanisms are engaged during attentional deployment: one relying on α amplitude modulations and reflecting internal decision processes, associated with subjective perceptual experience and metacognitive abilities; the other relying on α frequency modulations and enabling mechanistic sampling of the sensory input at the attended location to influence objective performance. These insights are crucial for understanding how we reduce sensory ambiguity to maximize the efficiency of our conscious experience, but also in interpreting the mechanisms of atypical perceptual experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Trajkovic
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Cesena, 47521, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Gregorio
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, UOC Medicina riabilitativa e neuroriabilitazione, Bologna, 40124, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Cesena, 47521, Italy
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, 346000, Chile
| | - Gregor Thut
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QB, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Cesena, 47521, Italy
- Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, 00179, Italy
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19
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Gallina J, Marsicano G, Romei V, Bertini C. Electrophysiological and Behavioral Effects of Alpha-Band Sensory Entrainment: Neural Mechanisms and Clinical Applications. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051399. [PMID: 37239069 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051399] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-band (7-13 Hz) activity has been linked to visuo-attentional performance in healthy participants and to impaired functionality of the visual system in a variety of clinical populations including patients with acquired posterior brain lesion and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Crucially, several studies suggested that short uni- and multi-sensory rhythmic stimulation (i.e., visual, auditory and audio-visual) administered in the alpha-band effectively induces transient changes in alpha oscillatory activity and improvements in visuo-attentional performance by synchronizing the intrinsic brain oscillations to the external stimulation (neural entrainment). The present review aims to address the current state of the art on the alpha-band sensory entrainment, outlining its potential functional effects and current limitations. Indeed, the results of the alpha-band entrainment studies are currently mixed, possibly due to the different stimulation modalities, task features and behavioral and physiological measures employed in the various paradigms. Furthermore, it is still unknown whether prolonged alpha-band sensory entrainment might lead to long-lasting effects at a neural and behavioral level. Overall, despite the limitations emerging from the current literature, alpha-band sensory entrainment may represent a promising and valuable tool, inducing functionally relevant changes in oscillatory activity, with potential rehabilitative applications in individuals characterized by impaired alpha activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gallina
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Via Rasi e Spinelli 176, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40121 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Marsicano
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Via Rasi e Spinelli 176, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40121 Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Via Rasi e Spinelli 176, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40121 Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Bertini
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Via Rasi e Spinelli 176, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40121 Bologna, Italy
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20
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Turrini S, Fiori F, Chiappini E, Lucero B, Santarnecchi E, Avenanti A. Cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) over premotor-motor areas affects local circuitries in the human motor cortex via Hebbian plasticity. Neuroimage 2023; 271:120027. [PMID: 36925088 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies have shown that cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) can strengthen connectivity between the ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and the primary motor cortex (M1) by modulating convergent input over M1 via Hebbian spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). However, whether ccPAS locally affects M1 activity remains unclear. We tested 60 right-handed young healthy humans in two studies, using a combination of dual coil TMS and ccPAS over the left PMv and M1 to probe and manipulate PMv-to-M1 connectivity, and single- and paired-pulse TMS to assess neural activity within M1. We provide convergent evidence that ccPAS, relying on repeated activations of excitatory PMv-to-M1 connections, acts locally over M1. During ccPAS, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by paired PMv-M1 stimulation gradually increased. Following ccPAS, the threshold for inducing MEPs of different amplitudes decreased, and the input-output curve (IO) slope increased, highlighting increased M1 corticospinal excitability. Moreover, ccPAS reduced the magnitude of short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), reflecting suppression of GABA-ergic interneuronal mechanisms within M1, without affecting intracortical facilitation (ICF). These changes were specific to ccPAS Hebbian strengthening of PMv-to-M1 connectivity, as no modulations were observed when reversing the order of the PMv-M1 stimulation during a control ccPAS protocol. These findings expand prior ccPAS research that focused on the malleability of cortico-cortical connectivity at the network-level, and highlight local changes in the area of convergent activation (i.e., M1) during plasticity induction. These findings provide new mechanistic insights into the physiological basis of ccPAS that are relevant for protocol optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Turrini
- Centro studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari", Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Cesena Campus, Cesena 47521, Italy; Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Francesca Fiori
- Centro studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari", Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Cesena Campus, Cesena 47521, Italy; NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuro-Engineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Emilio Chiappini
- Centro studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari", Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Cesena Campus, Cesena 47521, Italy; Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie, Universität Wien, Vienna 1010, Austria
| | - Boris Lucero
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas (CINPSI Neurocog), Universidad Católica Del Maule, Talca 346000, Chile
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Centro studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari", Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Cesena Campus, Cesena 47521, Italy; Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas (CINPSI Neurocog), Universidad Católica Del Maule, Talca 346000, Chile.
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21
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Del Mauro L, Vergallito A, Gattavara G, Juris L, Gallucci A, Vedani A, Cappelletti L, Farneti PM, Romero Lauro LJ. Betting on Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Treat Gambling Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Brain Sci 2023; 13:698. [PMID: 37190663 PMCID: PMC10136786 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040698] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gambling disorder (GD) is a behavioral addiction that severely impacts individuals' functioning, leading to high socioeconomic costs. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NiBS) has received attention for treating psychiatric and neurological conditions in recent decades, but there is no recommendation for its use for GD. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and analyze the available literature to determine the effectiveness of NiBS in treating GD. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we screened four electronic databases up to July 2022 and selected relevant English-written original articles. We included ten papers in the systematic review and seven in the meta-analysis. As only two studies employed a sham-controlled design, the pre-post standardized mean change (SMCC) was computed as effect size only for real stimulation. The results showed a significant effect of NiBS in reducing craving scores (SMCC = -0.69; 95% CI = [-1.2, -0.2], p = 0.010). Moreover, considering the GD's frequent comorbidity with mood disorders, we ran an exploratory analysis of the effects of NiBS on depressive symptoms, which showed significant decreases in post-treatment scores (SMCC = -0.71; 95% CI = [-1.1, -0.3], p < 0.001). These results provide initial evidence for developing NiBS as a feasible therapy for GD symptoms but further comprehensive research is needed to validate these findings. The limitations of the available literature are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Del Mauro
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Fondazione Eris Onlus, 20134 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vergallito
- Department of Psychology & Neuromi, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Gaia Gattavara
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Gallucci
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Anna Vedani
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
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22
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Alfalahi H, Dias SB, Khandoker AH, Chaudhuri KR, Hadjileontiadis LJ. A scoping review of neurodegenerative manifestations in explainable digital phenotyping. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:49. [PMID: 36997573 PMCID: PMC10063633 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00494-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurologists nowadays no longer view neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, as single entities, but rather as a spectrum of multifaceted symptoms with heterogeneous progression courses and treatment responses. The definition of the naturalistic behavioral repertoire of early neurodegenerative manifestations is still elusive, impeding early diagnosis and intervention. Central to this view is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reinforcing the depth of phenotypic information, thereby supporting the paradigm shift to precision medicine and personalized healthcare. This suggestion advocates the definition of disease subtypes in a new biomarker-supported nosology framework, yet without empirical consensus on standardization, reliability and interpretability. Although the well-defined neurodegenerative processes, linked to a triad of motor and non-motor preclinical symptoms, are detected by clinical intuition, we undertake an unbiased data-driven approach to identify different patterns of neuropathology distribution based on the naturalistic behavior data inherent to populations in-the-wild. We appraise the role of remote technologies in the definition of digital phenotyping specific to brain-, body- and social-level neurodegenerative subtle symptoms, emphasizing inter- and intra-patient variability powered by deep learning. As such, the present review endeavors to exploit digital technologies and AI to create disease-specific phenotypic explanations, facilitating the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases as "bio-psycho-social" conditions. Not only does this translational effort within explainable digital phenotyping foster the understanding of disease-induced traits, but it also enhances diagnostic and, eventually, treatment personalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hessa Alfalahi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Sofia B Dias
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ahsan H Khandoker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kallol Ray Chaudhuri
- Parkinson Foundation, International Center of Excellence, King's College London, Denmark Hills, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
| | - Leontios J Hadjileontiadis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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23
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Zrenner C, Kozák G, Schaworonkow N, Metsomaa J, Baur D, Vetter D, Blumberger DM, Ziemann U, Belardinelli P. Corticospinal excitability is highest at the early rising phase of sensorimotor µ-rhythm. Neuroimage 2023; 266:119805. [PMID: 36513289 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha oscillations are thought to reflect alternating cortical states of excitation and inhibition. Studies of perceptual thresholds and evoked potentials have shown the scalp EEG negative phase of the oscillation to correspond to a short-lasting low-threshold and high-excitability state of underlying visual, somatosensory, and primary motor cortex. The negative peak of the oscillation is assumed to correspond to the state of highest excitability based on biophysical considerations and considerable effort has been made to improve the extraction of a predictive signal by individually optimizing EEG montages. Here, we investigate whether it is the negative peak of sensorimotor µ-rhythm that corresponds to the highest corticospinal excitability, and whether this is consistent between individuals. In 52 adult participants, a standard 5-channel surface Laplacian EEG montage was used to extract sensorimotor µ-rhythm during transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of primary motor cortex. Post-hoc trials were sorted from 800 TMS-evoked motor potentials (MEPs) according to the pre-stimulus EEG (estimated instantaneous phase) and MEP amplitude (as an index of corticospinal excitability). Different preprocessing transformations designed to improve the accuracy by which µ-alpha phase predicts excitability were also tested. By fitting a sinusoid to the MEP amplitudes, sorted according to pre-stimulus EEG-phase, we found that excitability was highest during the early rising phase, at a significant delay with respect to the negative peak by on average 45° or 10 ms. The individual phase of highest excitability was consistent across study participants and unaffected by two different EEG-cleaning methods that utilize 64 channels to improve signal quality by compensating for individual noise level and channel covariance. Personalized transformations of the montage did not yield better prediction of excitability from µ-alpha phase. The relationship between instantaneous phase of a brain oscillation and fluctuating cortical excitability appears to be more complex than previously hypothesized. In TMS of motor cortex, a standard surface Laplacian 5-channel EEG montage is effective in extracting a predictive signal and the phase corresponding to the highest excitability appears to be consistent between individuals. This is an encouraging result with respect to the clinical potential of therapeutic personalized brain interventions in the motor system. However, it remains to be investigated, whether similar results can be obtained for other brain areas and brain oscillations targeted with EEG and TMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Zrenner
- Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Gábor Kozák
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Natalie Schaworonkow
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Johanna Metsomaa
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - David Baur
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Vetter
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel M Blumberger
- Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Paolo Belardinelli
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Germany; CIMeC, Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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24
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Krause MR, Vieira PG, Pack CC. Transcranial electrical stimulation: How can a simple conductor orchestrate complex brain activity? PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001973. [PMID: 36716309 PMCID: PMC9886255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is one of the oldest and yet least understood forms of brain stimulation. The idea that a weak electrical stimulus, applied outside the head, can meaningfully affect neural activity is often regarded as mysterious. Here, we argue that the direct effects of tES are not so mysterious: Extensive data from a wide range of model systems shows it has appreciable effects on the activity of individual neurons. Instead, the real mysteries are how tES interacts with the brain's own activity and how these dynamics can be controlled to produce desirable therapeutic effects. These are challenging problems, akin to repairing a complex machine while it is running, but they are not unique to tES or even neuroscience. We suggest that models of coupled oscillators, a common tool for studying interactions in other fields, may provide valuable insights. By combining these tools with our growing, interdisciplinary knowledge of brain dynamics, we are now in a good position to make progress in this area and meet the high demand for effective neuromodulation in neuroscience and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Krause
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (MRK); (PGV); (CCP)
| | - Pedro G. Vieira
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (MRK); (PGV); (CCP)
| | - Christopher C. Pack
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (MRK); (PGV); (CCP)
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25
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Kern K, Vukelić M, Guggenberger R, Gharabaghi A. Oscillatory neurofeedback networks and poststroke rehabilitative potential in severely impaired stroke patients. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103289. [PMID: 36525745 PMCID: PMC9791174 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Motor restoration after severe stroke is often limited. However, some of the severely impaired stroke patients may still have a rehabilitative potential. Biomarkers that identify these patients are sparse. Eighteen severely impaired chronic stroke patients with a lack of volitional finger extension participated in an EEG study. During sixty-six trials of kinesthetic motor imagery, a brain-machine interface turned event-related beta-band desynchronization of the ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex into opening of the paralyzed hand by a robotic orthosis. A subgroup of eight patients participated in a subsequent four-week rehabilitation training. Changes of the movement extent were captured with sensors which objectively quantified even discrete improvements of wrist movement. Albeit with the same motor impairment level, patients could be differentiated into two groups, i.e., with and without task-related increase of bilateral cortico-cortical phase synchronization between frontal/premotor and parietal areas. This fronto-parietal integration (FPI) was associated with a significantly higher volitional beta modulation range in the ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex. Following the four-week training, patients with FPI showed significantly higher improvement in wrist movement than those without FPI. Moreover, only the former group improved significantly in the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer-Assessment score. Neurofeedback-related long-range oscillatory coherence may differentiate severely impaired stroke patients with regard to their rehabilitative potential, a finding that needs to be confirmed in larger patient cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Kern
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mathias Vukelić
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert Guggenberger
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
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26
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Riddle J, Scimeca JM, Pagnotta MF, Inglis B, Sheltraw D, Muse-Fisher C, D’Esposito M. A guide for concurrent TMS-fMRI to investigate functional brain networks. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1050605. [PMID: 36590069 PMCID: PMC9799237 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1050605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) allows for the direct activation of neurons in the human neocortex and has proven to be fundamental for causal hypothesis testing in cognitive neuroscience. By administering TMS concurrently with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), the effect of cortical TMS on activity in distant cortical and subcortical structures can be quantified by varying the levels of TMS output intensity. However, TMS generates significant fluctuations in the fMRI time series, and their complex interaction warrants caution before interpreting findings. We present the methodological challenges of concurrent TMS-fMRI and a guide to minimize induced artifacts in experimental design and post-processing. Our study targeted two frontal-striatal circuits: primary motor cortex (M1) projections to the putamen and lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) projections to the caudate in healthy human participants. We found that TMS parametrically increased the BOLD signal in the targeted region and subcortical projections as a function of stimulation intensity. Together, this work provides practical steps to overcome common challenges with concurrent TMS-fMRI and demonstrates how TMS-fMRI can be used to investigate functional brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Jason M. Scimeca
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Mattia F. Pagnotta
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Ben Inglis
- Henry H. Wheeler Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Daniel Sheltraw
- Henry H. Wheeler Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Chris Muse-Fisher
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Mark D’Esposito
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Henry H. Wheeler Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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27
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Feredoes E. Developments in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Study Human Cognition. J Cogn Neurosci 2022; 35:6-10. [PMID: 36223241 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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28
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Uehara K, Fine JM, Santello M. Modulation of cortical beta oscillations influences motor vigor: A rhythmic TMS-EEG study. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:1158-1172. [PMID: 36419365 PMCID: PMC9875933 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous electro- or magnetoencephalography (Electro/Magneto EncephaloGraphic; E/MEG) studies using a correlative approach have shown that β (13-30 Hz) oscillations emerging in the primary motor cortex (M1) are implicated in regulating motor response vigor and associated with an anti-kinetic role, that is, slowness of movement. However, the functional role of M1 β oscillations in regulation of motor responses remains unclear. To address this gap, we combined EEG with rhythmic TMS (rhTMS) delivered to M1 at the β (20 Hz) frequency shortly before subjects performed an isometric ramp-and-hold finger force production task at three force levels. rhTMS is a novel approach that can modulate rhythmic patterns of neural activity. β-rhTMS over M1 induced a modulation of neural oscillations to β frequency in the sensorimotor area and reduced peak force rate during the ramp-up period relative to sham and catch trials. Interestingly, this rhTMS effect occurred only in the large force production condition. To distinguish whether the effects of rhTMS on EEG and behavior stemmed from phase-resetting by each magnetic pulse or neural entrainment by the periodicity of rhTMS, we performed a control experiment using arrhythmic TMS (arTMS). arTMS did not induce changes in EEG oscillations nor peak force rate during the rump-up period. Our results provide novel evidence that β neural oscillations emerging the sensorimotor area influence the regulation of motor response vigor. Furthermore, our findings further demonstrate that rhTMS is a promising tool for tuning neural oscillations to the target frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Uehara
- School of Biological and Health Systems EngineeringArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA,Division of Neural Dynamics, Department of System NeuroscienceNational Institute for Physiological SciencesOkazakiAichiJapan,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life ScienceSOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)OkazakiAichiJapan
| | - Justin M. Fine
- School of Biological and Health Systems EngineeringArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA,University of Minnesota Medical SchoolMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Marco Santello
- School of Biological and Health Systems EngineeringArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
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29
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Chen ZS, Kulkarni P(P, Galatzer-Levy IR, Bigio B, Nasca C, Zhang Y. Modern views of machine learning for precision psychiatry. PATTERNS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 3:100602. [PMID: 36419447 PMCID: PMC9676543 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2022.100602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In light of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)'s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), the advent of functional neuroimaging, novel technologies and methods provide new opportunities to develop precise and personalized prognosis and diagnosis of mental disorders. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are playing an increasingly critical role in the new era of precision psychiatry. Combining ML/AI with neuromodulation technologies can potentially provide explainable solutions in clinical practice and effective therapeutic treatment. Advanced wearable and mobile technologies also call for the new role of ML/AI for digital phenotyping in mobile mental health. In this review, we provide a comprehensive review of ML methodologies and applications by combining neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and advanced mobile technologies in psychiatry practice. We further review the role of ML in molecular phenotyping and cross-species biomarker identification in precision psychiatry. We also discuss explainable AI (XAI) and neuromodulation in a closed human-in-the-loop manner and highlight the ML potential in multi-media information extraction and multi-modal data fusion. Finally, we discuss conceptual and practical challenges in precision psychiatry and highlight ML opportunities in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- The Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
| | | | - Isaac R. Galatzer-Levy
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Meta Reality Lab, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benedetta Bigio
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Carla Nasca
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- The Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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30
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Turrini S, Fiori F, Chiappini E, Santarnecchi E, Romei V, Avenanti A. Gradual enhancement of corticomotor excitability during cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14670. [PMID: 36038605 PMCID: PMC9424198 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18774-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) is an effective transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) method for inducing associative plasticity between interconnected brain areas in humans. Prior ccPAS studies have focused on protocol’s aftereffects. Here, we investigated physiological changes induced “online” during ccPAS administration. We tested 109 participants receiving ccPAS over left ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and primary motor cortex (M1) using a standard procedure (90 paired-pulses with 8-ms interstimulus interval, repeated at 0.1 Hz frequency). On each paired-pulse, we recorded a motor-evoked potential (MEP) to continuously trace the emergence of corticomotor changes. Participant receiving forward-ccPAS (on each pair, a first TMS pulse was administered over PMv, second over M1, i.e., PMv-to-M1) showed a gradual and linear increase in MEP size that did not reach a plateau at the end of the protocol and was greater in participants with low motor threshold. Participants receiving reverse-ccPAS (i.e., M1-to-PMv) showed a trend toward inhibition. Our study highlights the facilitatory and inhibitory modulations that occur during ccPAS administration and suggest that online MEP monitoring could provide insights into the malleability of the motor system and protocol’s effectiveness. Our findings open interesting prospects about ccPAS potential optimization in experimental and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Turrini
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena. Via Rasi Spinelli 176, 47521, Cesena, Italy.,Precision Neuroscience and Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Fiori
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena. Via Rasi Spinelli 176, 47521, Cesena, Italy.,NeXT: Unità di ricerca di Neurofisiologia e Neuroingegneria dell'Interazione Uomo-Tecnologia, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Chiappini
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena. Via Rasi Spinelli 176, 47521, Cesena, Italy.,Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie, Universität Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience and Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena. Via Rasi Spinelli 176, 47521, Cesena, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena. Via Rasi Spinelli 176, 47521, Cesena, Italy. .,Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.
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31
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Chiappini E, Sel A, Hibbard PB, Avenanti A, Romei V. Increasing interhemispheric connectivity between human visual motion areas uncovers asymmetric sensitivity to horizontal motion. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4064-4070.e3. [PMID: 35987211 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Our conscious perceptual experience relies on a hierarchical process involving integration of low-level sensory encoding and higher-order sensory selection.1 This hierarchical process may scale at different levels of brain functioning, including integration of information between the hemispheres.2-5 Here, we test this hypothesis for the perception of visual motion stimuli. Across 3 experiments, we manipulated the connectivity between the left and right visual motion complexes (V5/MT+) responsible for horizontal motion perception2,3 by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).4,5 We found that enhancing the strength of connections from the left to the right V5/MT+, by inducing spike-timing-dependent plasticity6 in this pathway, increased sensitivity to horizontal motion. These changes were present immediately and lasted at least 90 min after intervention. Notably, little perceptual changes were observed when strengthening connections from the right to the left V5/MT+. Furthermore, we found that this asymmetric modulation was mirrored by an asymmetric perceptual bias in the direction of the horizontal motion. Overall, observers were biased toward leftward relative to rightward motion direction. Crucially, following the strengthening of the connections from right to left V5/MT+, this bias could be momentarily reversed. These results suggest that the projections connecting left and right V5/MT+ in the human visual cortex are asymmetrical, subtending a hierarchical role of hemispheric specialization7-10 favoring left-to-right hemisphere processing for integrating local sensory input into coherent global motion perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Chiappini
- Centre for Brain Science, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Via Rasi e Spinelli 176, 47521 Cesena, Italy; Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie, Universität Wien, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alejandra Sel
- Centre for Brain Science, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Paul B Hibbard
- Centre for Brain Science, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Via Rasi e Spinelli 176, 47521 Cesena, Italy; Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule, 3460000 Talca, Chile
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centre for Brain Science, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Via Rasi e Spinelli 176, 47521 Cesena, Italy.
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Di Luzio P, Tarasi L, Silvanto J, Avenanti A, Romei V. Human perceptual and metacognitive decision-making rely on distinct brain networks. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001750. [PMID: 35944012 PMCID: PMC9362930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Perceptual decisions depend on the ability to exploit available sensory information in order to select the most adaptive option from a set of alternatives. Such decisions depend on the perceptual sensitivity of the organism, which is generally accompanied by a corresponding level of certainty about the choice made. Here, by use of corticocortical paired associative transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol (ccPAS) aimed at inducing plastic changes, we shaped perceptual sensitivity and metacognitive ability in a motion discrimination task depending on the targeted network, demonstrating their functional dissociation. Neurostimulation aimed at boosting V5/MT+-to-V1/V2 back-projections enhanced motion sensitivity without impacting metacognition, whereas boosting IPS/LIP-to-V1/V2 back-projections increased metacognitive efficiency without impacting motion sensitivity. This double-dissociation provides causal evidence of distinct networks for perceptual sensitivity and metacognitive ability in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Di Luzio
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Luca Tarasi
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Juha Silvanto
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Riddle J, Frohlich F. Mental Activity as the Bridge between Neural Biomarkers and Symptoms of Psychiatric Illness. Clin EEG Neurosci 2022:15500594221112417. [PMID: 35861807 DOI: 10.1177/15500594221112417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative challenges researchers to build neurobehavioral models of psychiatric illness with the hope that such models identify better targets that will yield more effective treatment. However, a guide for building such models was not provided and symptom heterogeneity within Diagnostic Statistical Manual categories has hampered progress in identifying endophenotypes that underlie mental illness. We propose that the best chance to discover viable biomarkers and treatment targets for psychiatric illness is to investigate a triangle of relationships: severity of a specific psychiatric symptom that correlates to mental activity that correlates to a neural activity signature. We propose that this is the minimal model complexity required to advance the field of psychiatry. With an understanding of how neural activity relates to the experience of the patient, a genuine understanding for how treatment imparts its therapeutic effect is possible. After the discovery of this three-fold relationship, causal testing is required in which the neural activity pattern is directly enhanced or suppressed to provide causal, instead of just correlational, evidence for the biomarker. We suggest using non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) as these techniques provide tools to precisely manipulate spatial and temporal activity patterns. We detail how this approach enabled the discovery of two orthogonal electroencephalography (EEG) activity patterns associated with anhedonia and anxiosomatic symptoms in depression that can serve as future treatment targets. Altogether, we propose a systematic approach for building neurobehavioral models for dimensional psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Riddle
- Department of Psychiatry, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Flavio Frohlich
- Department of Psychiatry, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Neurology, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Neuroscience Center, 6797University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Lega C, Cattaneo L, Costantini G. How to Test the Association Between Baseline Performance Level and the Modulatory Effects of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:920558. [PMID: 35814951 PMCID: PMC9265211 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.920558] [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: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral effects of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (NIBS) can dramatically change as a function of different factors (e.g., stimulation intensity, timing of stimulation). In this framework, lately there has been a growing interest toward the importance of considering the inter-individual differences in baseline performance and how they are related with behavioral NIBS effects. However, assessing how baseline performance level is associated with behavioral effects of brain stimulation techniques raises up crucial methodological issues. How can we test whether the performance at baseline is predictive of the effects of NIBS, when NIBS effects themselves are estimated with reference to baseline performance? In this perspective article, we discuss the limitations connected to widely used strategies for the analysis of the association between baseline value and NIBS effects, and review solutions to properly address this type of question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Lega
- Department of Psychology and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Carlotta Lega
| | - Luigi Cattaneo
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Centre for Medical Sciences (CISMed), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Giulio Costantini
- Department of Psychology and Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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35
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Stengel C, Sanches C, Toba MN, Valero-Cabré A. Things you wanted to know (but might have been afraid to ask) about how and why to explore and modulate brain plasticity with non-invasive neurostimulation technologies. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:826-844. [PMID: 35623940 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Brain plasticity can be defined as the ability of local and extended neural systems to organize either the structure and/or the function of their connectivity patterns to better adapt to changes of our inner/outer environment and optimally respond to new challenging behavioral demands. Plasticity has been traditionally conceived as a spontaneous phenomenon naturally occurring during pre and postnatal development, tied to learning and memory processes, or enabled following neural damage and their rehabilitation. Such effects can be easily observed and measured but remain hard to harness or to tame 'at will'. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technologies offer the possibility to engage plastic phenomena, and use this ability to characterize the relationship between brain regions, networks and their functional connectivity patterns with cognitive process or disease symptoms, to estimate cortical malleability, and ultimately contribute to neuropsychiatric therapy and rehabilitation. NIBS technologies are unique tools in the field of fundamental and clinical research in humans. Nonetheless, their abilities (and also limitations) remain rather unknown and in the hands of a small community of experts, compared to widely established methods such as functional neuroimaging (fMRI) or electrophysiology (EEG, MEG). In the current review, we first introduce the features, mechanisms of action and operational principles of the two most widely used NIBS methods, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Current Stimulation (tCS), for exploratory or therapeutic purposes, emphasizing their bearings on neural plasticity mechanisms. In a second step, we walk the reader through two examples of recent domains explored by our team to further emphasize the potential and limitations of NIBS to either explore or improve brain function in healthy individuals and neuropsychiatric populations. A final outlook will identify a series of future topics of interest that can foster progress in the field and achieve more effective manipulation of brain plasticity and interventions to explore and improve cognition and treat the symptoms of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Stengel
- Causal Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB team, office 3.028, Paris Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau), CNRS UMR 7225, Inserm UMRS 1127 and Sorbonne Université, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - C Sanches
- Causal Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB team, office 3.028, Paris Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau), CNRS UMR 7225, Inserm UMRS 1127 and Sorbonne Université, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - M N Toba
- Laboratory of Functional Neurosciences (UR UPJV 4559), University Hospital of Amiens and University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - A Valero-Cabré
- Causal Dynamics, Plasticity and Rehabilitation Group, FRONTLAB team, office 3.028, Paris Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau), CNRS UMR 7225, Inserm UMRS 1127 and Sorbonne Université, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Laboratory for Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Rehabilitation, Boston University School of Medicine, 700, Albany Street, Boston, MA W-702A, USA; Cognitive Neuroscience and Information Technology Research Program, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Barcelona, Spain.
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36
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State-dependent effects of neural stimulation on brain function and cognition. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:459-475. [PMID: 35577959 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00598-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation methods are widely used in neuroscience to establish causal relationships between distinct brain regions and the sensory, cognitive and motor functions they subserve. When combined with concurrent brain imaging, such stimulation methods can reveal patterns of neuronal activity responsible for regulating simple and complex behaviours at the level of local circuits and across widespread networks. Understanding how fluctuations in physiological states and task demands might influence the effects of brain stimulation on neural activity and behaviour is at the heart of how we use these tools to understand cognition. Here we review the concept of such 'state-dependent' changes in brain activity in response to neural stimulation, and consider examples from research on altered states of consciousness (for example, sleep and anaesthesia) and from task-based manipulations of selective attention and working memory. We relate relevant findings from non-invasive methods used in humans to those obtained from direct electrical and optogenetic stimulation of neuronal ensembles in animal models. Given the widespread use of brain stimulation as a research tool in the laboratory and as a means of augmenting or restoring brain function, consideration of the influence of changing physiological and cognitive states is crucial for increasing the reliability of these interventions.
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Vergallito A, Feroldi S, Pisoni A, Romero Lauro LJ. Inter-Individual Variability in tDCS Effects: A Narrative Review on the Contribution of Stable, Variable, and Contextual Factors. Brain Sci 2022; 12:522. [PMID: 35624908 PMCID: PMC9139102 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to its safety, portability, and cheapness, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) use largely increased in research and clinical settings. Despite tDCS's wide application, previous works pointed out inconsistent and low replicable results, sometimes leading to extreme conclusions about tDCS's ineffectiveness in modulating behavioral performance across cognitive domains. Traditionally, this variability has been linked to significant differences in the stimulation protocols across studies, including stimulation parameters, target regions, and electrodes montage. Here, we reviewed and discussed evidence of heterogeneity emerging at the intra-study level, namely inter-individual differences that may influence the response to tDCS within each study. This source of variability has been largely neglected by literature, being results mainly analyzed at the group level. Previous research, however, highlighted that only a half-or less-of studies' participants could be classified as responders, being affected by tDCS in the expected direction. Stable and variable inter-individual differences, such as morphological and genetic features vs. hormonal/exogenous substance consumption, partially account for this heterogeneity. Moreover, variability comes from experiments' contextual elements, such as participants' engagement/baseline capacity and individual task difficulty. We concluded that increasing knowledge on inter-dividual differences rather than undermining tDCS effectiveness could enhance protocols' efficiency and reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Vergallito
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMi, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (A.P.); (L.J.R.L.)
| | - Sarah Feroldi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy;
| | - Alberto Pisoni
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMi, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (A.P.); (L.J.R.L.)
| | - Leonor J. Romero Lauro
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMi, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (A.P.); (L.J.R.L.)
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He J, Tang Y, Lin J, Faulkner G, Tsang HWH, Chan SHW. Non-invasive brain stimulation combined with psychosocial intervention for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:273. [PMID: 35439977 PMCID: PMC9016381 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review investigates the efficacy and safety of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) combined with psychosocial intervention on depressive symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS We systematically searched five electronic databases from their inception to June 2021: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline. Randomized or non-randomized clinical trials in which NIBS plus psychosocial intervention was compared to control conditions in people with depressive symptoms were included. RESULTS A total of 17 eligible studies with 660 participants were included. The meta-analysis results showed that NIBS combined with psychosocial therapy had a positive effect on moderate to severe depression ([SMD = - 0.46, 95%CI (- 0.90, - 0.02), I2 = 73%, p < .01]), but did not significantly improve minimal to mild depression ([SMD = - 0.12, 95%CI (- 0.42, 0.18), I2 = 0%, p = .63]). Compared with NIBS alone, the combination treatment had a significantly greater effect in alleviating depressive symptoms ([SMD = - 0.84, 95%CI (- 1.25, - 0.42), I2 = 0%, p = .93]). However, our results suggested that the pooled effect size of ameliorating depression of NIBS plus psychosocial intervention had no significant difference compared with the combination of sham NIBS [SMD = - 0.12, 95%CI (- 0.31, 0.07), I2 = 0%, p = .60] and psychosocial intervention alone [SMD = - 0.97, 95%CI (- 2.32, 0.38), I2 = 72%, p = .01]. CONCLUSION NIBS when combined with psychosocial intervention has a significant positive effect in alleviating moderately to severely depressive symptoms. Further well-designed studies of NIBS combined with psychosocial intervention on depression should be carried out to consolidate the conclusions and explore the in-depth underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali He
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yiling Tang
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
| | - Jingxia Lin
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. .,Mental Health Research Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| | - Guy Faulkner
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
| | - Hector W. H. Tsang
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong ,grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Mental Health Research Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Sunny H. W. Chan
- grid.6518.a0000 0001 2034 5266School of Health and Social Wellbeing, University of the West of England, England, UK
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Concurrent frontal and parietal network TMS for modulating attention. iScience 2022; 25:103962. [PMID: 35295814 PMCID: PMC8919227 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been applied to frontal eye field (FEF) and intraparietal sulcus (IPS) in isolation, to study their role in attention. However, these nodes closely interact in a "dorsal attention network". Here, we compared effects of inhibitory TMS applied to individually fMRI-localized FEF or IPS (single-node TMS), to effects of simultaneously inhibiting both regions ("network TMS"), and sham. We assessed attention performance using the lateralized attention network test, which captures multiple facets of attention: spatial orienting, alerting, and executive control. TMS showed no effects on alerting and executive control. For spatial orienting, only network TMS showed a reduction of the orienting effect in the right hemifield compared to the left hemifield, irrespective of the order of TMS application (IPS→FEF or FEF→IPS). Network TMS might prevent compensatory mechanisms within a brain network, which is promising for both research and clinical applications to achieve superior neuromodulation effects.
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Ngetich R, Jin D, Li W, Song B, Zhang J, Jin Z, Li L. Enhancing Visuospatial Working Memory Performance Using Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation Over the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:752519. [PMID: 35370586 PMCID: PMC8968997 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.752519] [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: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive brain stimulation provides a promising approach for the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions. Despite the increasing research on the facilitatory effects of this kind of stimulation on the cognitive processes, the majority of the studies have used the standard stimulation approaches such as the transcranial direct current stimulation and the conventional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) which seem to be limited in robustness and the duration of the transient effects. However, a recent specialized type of rTMS, theta-burst stimulation (TBS), patterned to mimic the natural cross-frequency coupling of the human brain, may induce robust and longer-lasting effects on cortical activity. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of the intermittent TBS (iTBS), a facilitatory form of TBS, over the right DLPFC (rDLPFC), a brain area implicated in higher-order cognitive processes, on visuospatial working memory (VSWM) performance. Therefore, iTBS was applied over either the rDLPFC or the vertex of 24 healthy participants, in two separate sessions. We assessed VSWM performance using 2-back and 4-back visuospatial tasks before iTBS (at the baseline (BL), and after the iTBS. Our results indicate that the iTBS over the rDLPFC significantly enhanced VSWM performance in the 2-back task, as measured by the discriminability index and the reaction time. However, the 4-back task performance was not significantly modulated by iTBS. These findings demonstrate that the rDLPFC plays a critical role in VSWM and that iTBS is a safe and effective approach for investigating the causal role of the specific brain areas.
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Tuning alpha rhythms to shape conscious visual perception. Curr Biol 2022; 32:988-998.e6. [PMID: 35090592 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
It is commonly held that what we see and what we believe we see are overlapping phenomena. However, dissociations between sensory events and their subjective interpretation occur in the general population and in clinical disorders, raising the question as to whether perceptual accuracy and its subjective interpretation represent mechanistically dissociable events. Here, we uncover the role that alpha oscillations play in shaping these two indices of human conscious experience. We used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure occipital alpha oscillations during a visual detection task, which were then entrained using rhythmic-TMS. We found that controlling prestimulus alpha frequency by rhythmic-TMS modulated perceptual accuracy, but not subjective confidence in it, whereas controlling poststimulus (but not prestimulus) alpha amplitude modulated how well subjective confidence judgments can distinguish between correct and incorrect decision, but not accuracy. These findings provide the first causal evidence of a double dissociation between alpha speed and alpha amplitude, linking alpha frequency to spatiotemporal sampling resources and alpha amplitude to the internal, subjective representation and interpretation of sensory events.
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42
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Albouy P, Martinez-Moreno ZE, Hoyer RS, Zatorre RJ, Baillet S. Supramodality of neural entrainment: Rhythmic visual stimulation causally enhances auditory working memory performance. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabj9782. [PMID: 35196074 PMCID: PMC8865801 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The frontoparietal network is involved in multiple tasks, such as visual mental rotation, working memory, or arithmetic. Whether those different cognitive processes are supported by the same supramodal network or distinct, but overlapping, functional systems is unresolved. We investigate whether frontoparietal activity can be selectively entrained by rhythmic sensory stimulations (visual rotation) and whether this entrainment can causally modulate task performance in another modality (auditory working memory). We show that rhythmic visual presentations of rotating shapes, known to activate the dorsal pathway, increase frontoparietal connectivity at stimulation frequency as measured with MEG/EEG. We then show that frontoparietal theta oscillations predict auditory working memory performance. Last, we demonstrate that theta rhythmic visual stimulation applied during auditory memory causally enhances performance, and both the rotating properties of the stimulus and its flickering frequency drive the effect. This study provides causal evidence of the supramodal role of the frontoparietal network in human cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Albouy
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), CRBLM, Montreal, QC H2V 2J2, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Zaida E. Martinez-Moreno
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Roxane S. Hoyer
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Robert J. Zatorre
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), CRBLM, Montreal, QC H2V 2J2, Canada
| | - Sylvain Baillet
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
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43
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Simis M, Imamura M, Pacheco-Barrios K, Marduy A, de Melo PS, Mendes AJ, Teixeira PEP, Battistella L, Fregni F. EEG theta and beta bands as brain oscillations for different knee osteoarthritis phenotypes according to disease severity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1480. [PMID: 35087082 PMCID: PMC8795380 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04957-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the multivariate relationship between different sociodemographic, clinical, and neurophysiological variables with resting-state, high-definition, EEG spectral power in subjects with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain. This was a cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from 66 knee OA subjects. To identify associated factors, we performed independent univariate and multivariate regression models by frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, low-beta, and high-beta) and by pre-defined regions (frontal, central, and parietal). From adjusted multivariate models, we found that: (1) increased frontocentral high-beta power and reduced central theta activity are positively correlated with pain intensity (β = 0.012, 95% CI 0.004-0.020; and β = - 0.008; 95% CI 0.014 to - 0.003; respectively); (2) delta and alpha oscillations have a direct relationship with higher cortical inhibition; (3) diffuse increased power at low frequencies (delta and theta) are associated with poor cognition, aging, and depressive symptoms; and (4) higher alpha and beta power over sensorimotor areas seem to be a maladaptive compensatory mechanism to poor motor function and severe joint degeneration. Subjects with higher pain intensity and higher OA severity (likely subjects with maladaptive compensatory mechanisms to severe OA) have higher frontocentral beta power and lower theta activity. On the other hand, subjects with less OA severity and less pain have higher theta oscillations power. These associations showed the potential role of brain oscillations as a marker of pain intensity and clinical phenotypes in chronic knee OA patients. Besides, they suggest a potential compensatory mechanism of these two brain oscillators according to OA severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Simis
- Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marta Imamura
- Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kevin Pacheco-Barrios
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
- Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Lima, Peru
| | - Anna Marduy
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paulo S de Melo
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Augusto J Mendes
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paulo E P Teixeira
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linamara Battistella
- Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96 13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA.
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Duan YJ, Hua XY, Zheng MX, Wu JJ, Xing XX, Li YL, Xu JG. Corticocortical paired associative stimulation for treating motor dysfunction after stroke: study protocol for a randomised sham-controlled double-blind clinical trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053991. [PMID: 35027421 PMCID: PMC8762140 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stroke survivors can have a high disability rate with low quality of daily life, resulting in a heavy burden on family and society. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been widely applied to brain injury repair, neurological disease treatment, cognition and emotion regulation and so on. However, there is still much to be desired in the theories of using these neuromodulation techniques to treat stroke-caused hemiplegia. It is generally recognised that synaptic plasticity is an important basis for functional repair after brain injury. This study protocol aims to examine the corticocortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) for inducing synaptic plasticity to rescue the paralysed after stroke. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The current study is designed as a 14-week double-blind randomised sham-controlled clinical trial, composed of 2-week intervention and 12-week follow-up. For the study, 42 patients who had a stroke aged 40-70 will be recruited, who are randomly assigned either to the ccPAS intervention group, or to the control group at a 1:1 ratio, hence an equal number each. In the intervention group, ccPAS is practised in conjunction with the conventional rehabilitation treatment, and in the control group, the conventional rehabilitation treatment is administered with sham stimulation. A total of 10 interventions will be made, 5 times a week for 2 weeks. The same assessors are supposed to evaluate the participants' motor function at four time points of the baseline (before 10 interventions), treatment ending (after 10 interventions), and two intervals of follow-up (1 and 3 months later, respectively). The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity is used for the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes include changes in the assessment of Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional MRI data. The adverse events are to be recorded throughout the study. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Yueyang Hospital. All ethical work was performed in accordance with the Helsinki declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Study findings will be disseminated in the printed media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000036685.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Duan
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu-Yun Hua
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mou-Xiong Zheng
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Jia Wu
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang-Xin Xing
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Lin Li
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Guang Xu
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Hermiller MS, Dave S, Wert SL, VanHaerents S, Riley M, Weintraub S, Mesulam MM, Voss JL. Evidence from theta-burst stimulation that age-related de-differentiation of the hippocampal network is functional for episodic memory. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 109:145-157. [PMID: 34740076 PMCID: PMC8671378 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Episodic memory is supported by hippocampal interactions with a distributed network. Aging is associated with memory decline and network de-differentiation. However, the role of de-differentiation in memory decline has not been directly tested. We reasoned that hippocampal network-targeted stimulation could test these theories, as age-related changes in the network response to stimulation would indicate network reorganization, and corresponding changes in memory would suggest that this reorganization is functional. We compared effects of stimulation on fMRI connectivity and memory in younger versus older adults. Theta-burst network-targeted stimulation of left lateral parietal cortex selectively increased hippocampal network connectivity and modulated memory in younger adults. In contrast, stimulation in older adults increased connectivity throughout the brain, without network selectivity, and did not influence memory. These findings provide evidence that network responses to stimulation are de-differentiated in aging and suggest that age-related de-differentiation is relevant for memory. This manuscript is part of the Special Issue entitled "Cognitive Neuroscience of Healthy and Pathological Aging" edited by Drs. M. N. Rajah, S. Belleville, and R. Cabeza. This article is part of the Virtual Special Issue titled COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE OF HEALTHY AND PATHOLOGICAL AGING. The full issue can be found on ScienceDirect at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/neurobiology-of-aging/special-issue/105379XPWJP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly S. Hermiller
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY,Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY,Corresponding author: Molly S. Hermiller, 615 West 131st Street, Studebaker, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10027,
| | - Shruti Dave
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Stephanie L. Wert
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Stephen VanHaerents
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Michaela Riley
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - M.-Marsel Mesulam
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL,Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Joel L. Voss
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL,Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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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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Janssens SEW, Sack AT. Spontaneous Fluctuations in Oscillatory Brain State Cause Differences in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effects Within and Between Individuals. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:802244. [PMID: 34924982 PMCID: PMC8674306 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.802244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can cause measurable effects on neural activity and behavioral performance in healthy volunteers. In addition, TMS is increasingly used in clinical practice for treating various neuropsychiatric disorders. Unfortunately, TMS-induced effects show large intra- and inter-subject variability, hindering its reliability, and efficacy. One possible source of this variability may be the spontaneous fluctuations of neuronal oscillations. We present recent studies using multimodal TMS including TMS-EMG (electromyography), TMS-tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation), and concurrent TMS-EEG-fMRI (electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging), to evaluate how individual oscillatory brain state affects TMS signal propagation within targeted networks. We demonstrate how the spontaneous oscillatory state at the time of TMS influences both immediate and longer-lasting TMS effects. These findings indicate that at least part of the variability in TMS efficacy may be attributable to the current practice of ignoring (spontaneous) oscillatory fluctuations during TMS. Ignoring this state-dependent spread of activity may cause great individual variability which so far is poorly understood and has proven impossible to control. We therefore also compare two technical solutions to directly account for oscillatory state during TMS, namely, to use (a) tACS to externally control these oscillatory states and then apply TMS at the optimal (controlled) brain state, or (b) oscillatory state-triggered TMS (closed-loop TMS). The described multimodal TMS approaches are paramount for establishing more robust TMS effects, and to allow enhanced control over the individual outcome of TMS interventions aimed at modulating information flow in the brain to achieve desirable changes in cognition, mood, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanice E. W. Janssens
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Alexander T. Sack
- Section Brain Stimulation and Cognition, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (MBIC), Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Brain + Nerve Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Tarasi L, Trajkovic J, Diciotti S, di Pellegrino G, Ferri F, Ursino M, Romei V. Predictive waves in the autism-schizophrenia continuum: A novel biobehavioral model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:1-22. [PMID: 34774901 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The brain is a predictive machine. Converging data suggests a diametric predictive strategy from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to schizophrenic spectrum disorders (SSD). Whereas perceptual inference in ASD is rigidly shaped by incoming sensory information, the SSD population is prone to overestimate the precision of their priors' models. Growing evidence considers brain oscillations pivotal biomarkers to understand how top-down predictions integrate bottom-up input. Starting from the conceptualization of ASD and SSD as oscillopathies, we introduce an integrated perspective that ascribes the maladjustments of the predictive mechanism to dysregulation of neural synchronization. According to this proposal, disturbances in the oscillatory profile do not allow the appropriate trade-off between descending predictive signal, overweighted in SSD, and ascending prediction errors, overweighted in ASD. These opposing imbalances both result in an ill-adapted reaction to external challenges. This approach offers a neuro-computational model capable of linking predictive coding theories with electrophysiological findings, aiming to increase knowledge on the neuronal foundations of the two spectra features and stimulate hypothesis-driven rehabilitation/research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Tarasi
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy.
| | - Jelena Trajkovic
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Stefano Diciotti
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mauro Ursino
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy.
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Vergallito A, Gallucci A, Pisoni A, Punzi M, Caselli G, Ruggiero GM, Sassaroli S, Romero Lauro LJ. Effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of sham or behaviour-controlled studies. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E592-E614. [PMID: 34753789 PMCID: PMC8580831 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The possibility of using noninvasive brain stimulation to treat mental disorders has received considerable attention recently. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are considered to be effective treatments for depressive symptoms. However, no treatment recommendation is currently available for anxiety disorders, suggesting that evidence is still limited. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a quantitative analysis of the effectiveness of rTMS and tDCS in the treatment of anxiety disorders. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened 3 electronic databases up to the end of February 2020 for English-language, peer-reviewed articles that included the following: a clinical sample of patients with an anxiety disorder, the use of a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, the inclusion of a control condition, and pre/post scores on a validated questionnaire that measured symptoms of anxiety. RESULTS Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria, comprising 154 participants assigned to a stimulation condition and 164 to a sham or control group. We calculated Hedge's g for scores on disorder-specific and general anxiety questionnaires before and after treatment to determine effect size, and we conducted 2 independent random-effects meta-analyses. Considering the well-known comorbidity between anxiety and depression, we ran a third meta-analysis analyzing outcomes for depression scores. Results showed a significant effect of noninvasive brain stimulation in reducing scores on disorder-specific and general anxiety questionnaires, as well as depressive symptoms, in the real stimulation compared to the control condition. LIMITATIONS Few studies met the inclusion criteria; more evidence is needed to strengthen conclusions about the effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders. CONCLUSION Our findings showed that noninvasive brain stimulation reduced anxiety and depression scores compared to control conditions, suggesting that it can alleviate clinical symptoms in patients with anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alberto Pisoni
- From the Department of Psychology, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy (Vergallito, Pisoni, Punzi, Romero Lauro); the Neuromi, Milan, Italy (Vergallito, Gallucci, Pisoni, Romero Lauro); the Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy (Gallucci); the Studi Cognitivi, Milan, Italy (Caselli, Ruggiero, Sassaroli); and the Faculty of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy (Caseli, Ruggiero, Sassaroli)
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50
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Poltorak A. Replicating Cortical Signatures May Open the Possibility for "Transplanting" Brain States via Brain Entrainment. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:710003. [PMID: 34630058 PMCID: PMC8492906 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.710003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain states, which correlate with specific motor, cognitive, and emotional states, may be monitored with noninvasive techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) that measure macroscopic cortical activity manifested as oscillatory network dynamics. These rhythmic cortical signatures provide insight into the neuronal activity used to identify pathological cortical function in numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions. Sensory and transcranial stimulation, entraining the brain with specific brain rhythms, can effectively induce desired brain states (such as state of sleep or state of attention) correlated with such cortical rhythms. Because brain states have distinct neural correlates, it may be possible to induce a desired brain state by replicating these neural correlates through stimulation. To do so, we propose recording brain waves from a "donor" in a particular brain state using EEG/MEG to extract cortical signatures of the brain state. These cortical signatures would then be inverted and used to entrain the brain of a "recipient" via sensory or transcranial stimulation. We propose that brain states may thus be transferred between people by acquiring an associated cortical signature from a donor, which, following processing, may be applied to a recipient through sensory or transcranial stimulation. This technique may provide a novel and effective neuromodulation approach to the noninvasive, non-pharmacological treatment of a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders for which current treatments are mostly limited to pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Poltorak
- Neuroenhancement Lab, Suffern, NY, United States
- The City College of New York, New York, NY, United States
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