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Belkacem AN, Jamil N, Khalid S, Alnajjar F. On closed-loop brain stimulation systems for improving the quality of life of patients with neurological disorders. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1085173. [PMID: 37033911 PMCID: PMC10076878 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1085173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging brain technologies have significantly transformed human life in recent decades. For instance, the closed-loop brain-computer interface (BCI) is an advanced software-hardware system that interprets electrical signals from neurons, allowing communication with and control of the environment. The system then transmits these signals as controlled commands and provides feedback to the brain to execute specific tasks. This paper analyzes and presents the latest research on closed-loop BCI that utilizes electric/magnetic stimulation, optogenetic, and sonogenetic techniques. These techniques have demonstrated great potential in improving the quality of life for patients suffering from neurodegenerative or psychiatric diseases. We provide a comprehensive and systematic review of research on the modalities of closed-loop BCI in recent decades. To achieve this, the authors used a set of defined criteria to shortlist studies from well-known research databases into categories of brain stimulation techniques. These categories include deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct-current stimulation, transcranial alternating-current stimulation, and optogenetics. These techniques have been useful in treating a wide range of disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, dementia, and depression. In total, 76 studies were shortlisted and analyzed to illustrate how closed-loop BCI can considerably improve, enhance, and restore specific brain functions. The analysis revealed that literature in the area has not adequately covered closed-loop BCI in the context of cognitive neural prosthetics and implanted neural devices. However, the authors demonstrate that the applications of closed-loop BCI are highly beneficial, and the technology is continually evolving to improve the lives of individuals with various ailments, including those with sensory-motor issues or cognitive deficiencies. By utilizing emerging techniques of stimulation, closed-loop BCI can safely improve patients' cognitive and affective skills, resulting in better healthcare outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelkader Nasreddine Belkacem
- Department of Computer and Network Engineering, College of Information Technology, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
- *Correspondence: Abdelkader Nasreddine Belkacem
| | - Nuraini Jamil
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, College of Information Technology, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sumayya Khalid
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, College of Information Technology, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fady Alnajjar
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, College of Information Technology, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama, Japan
- Fady Alnajjar
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2
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Bréchet L, Yu W, Biagi MC, Ruffini G, Gagnon M, Manor B, Pascual-Leone A. Patient-Tailored, Home-Based Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Memory Deficits in Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurol 2021; 12:598135. [PMID: 34093384 PMCID: PMC8173168 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.598135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that can cause dementia (Alzheimer's disease-related dementia, ADRD) with growing cognitive disability and vast physical, emotional, and financial pressures not only on the patients but also on caregivers and families. Loss of memory is an early and very debilitating symptom in AD patients and a relevant predictor of disease progression. Data from rodents, as well as human studies, suggest that dysregulation of specific brain oscillations, particularly in the hippocampus, is linked to memory deficits. Animal and human studies demonstrate that non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) in the form of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) allows to reliably and safely interact with ongoing oscillatory patterns in the brain in specific frequencies. We developed a protocol for patient-tailored home-based tACS with an instruction program to train a caregiver to deliver daily sessions of tACS that can be remotely monitored by the study team. We provide a discussion of the neurobiological rationale to modulate oscillations and a description of the study protocol. Data of two patients with ADRD who have completed this protocol illustrate the feasibility of the approach and provide pilot evidence on the safety of the remotely-monitored, caregiver-administered, home-based tACS intervention. These findings encourage the pursuit of a large, adequately powered, randomized controlled trial of home-based tACS for memory dysfunction in ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Bréchet
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Wanting Yu
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Giulio Ruffini
- Neuroelectrics Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Neuroelectrics Corp., Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Margaret Gagnon
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brad Manor
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Guttmann Brain Health Institute, Institut Guttman de Neurorehabilitació, Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Sánchez-León CA, Cordones I, Ammann C, Ausín JM, Gómez-Climent MA, Carretero-Guillén A, Sánchez-Garrido Campos G, Gruart A, Delgado-García JM, Cheron G, Medina JF, Márquez-Ruiz J. Immediate and after effects of transcranial direct-current stimulation in the mouse primary somatosensory cortex. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3123. [PMID: 33542338 PMCID: PMC7862679 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82364-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique consisting in the application of weak electric currents on the scalp. Although previous studies have demonstrated the clinical value of tDCS for modulating sensory, motor, and cognitive functions, there are still huge gaps in the knowledge of the underlying physiological mechanisms. To define the immediate impact as well as the after effects of tDCS on sensory processing, we first performed electrophysiological recordings in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) of alert mice during and after administration of S1-tDCS, and followed up with immunohistochemical analysis of the stimulated brain regions. During the application of cathodal and anodal transcranial currents we observed polarity-specific bidirectional changes in the N1 component of the sensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) and associated gamma oscillations. On the other hand, 20 min of cathodal stimulation produced significant after-effects including a decreased SEP amplitude for up to 30 min, a power reduction in the 20-80 Hz range and a decrease in gamma event related synchronization (ERS). In contrast, no significant changes in SEP amplitude or power analysis were observed after anodal stimulation except for a significant increase in gamma ERS after tDCS cessation. The polarity-specific differences of these after effects were corroborated by immunohistochemical analysis, which revealed an unbalance of GAD 65-67 immunoreactivity between the stimulated versus non-stimulated S1 region only after cathodal tDCS. These results highlight the differences between immediate and after effects of tDCS, as well as the asymmetric after effects induced by anodal and cathodal stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A. Sánchez-León
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Isabel Cordones
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Claudia Ammann
- grid.428486.40000 0004 5894 9315HM CINAC, Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Ausín
- grid.157927.f0000 0004 1770 5832Instituto de Investigación E Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - María A. Gómez-Climent
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Alejandro Carretero-Guillén
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Guillermo Sánchez-Garrido Campos
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Agnès Gruart
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - José M. Delgado-García
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Guy Cheron
- grid.8364.90000 0001 2184 581XLaboratory of Electrophysiology, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium ,grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Javier F. Medina
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Javier Márquez-Ruiz
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
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Castellano M, Ibañez-Soria D, Kroupi E, Acedo J, Campolo M, Soria-Frisch A, Valls-Sole J, Verma A, Ruffini G. Intermittent tACS during a visual task impacts neural oscillations and LZW complexity. Exp Brain Res 2020; 238:1411-1422. [PMID: 32367144 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) interacts with brain activity. Here, we investigate the effects of tACS using an intermittent tACS-EEG protocol and use, in addition to classical metrics, Lempel-Ziv-Welch complexity (LZW) to characterize the interactions between task, endogenous and exogenous oscillations. In a cross-over study, EEG was recorded from thirty participants engaged in a change-of-speed detection task while receiving multichannel tACS over the visual cortex at 10 Hz, 70 Hz and a control condition. In each session, tACS was applied intermittently during 5 s events interleaved with EEG recordings over multiple trials. We found that, with respect to control, stimulation at 10 Hz ([Formula: see text]) enhanced both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] power, [Formula: see text]-LZW complexity and [Formula: see text] but not [Formula: see text] phase locking value with respect to tACS onset ([Formula: see text]-PLV, [Formula: see text]-PLV), and increased reaction time (RT). [Formula: see text] increased RT with little impact on other metrics. As trials associated with larger [Formula: see text]-power (and lower [Formula: see text]-LZW) predicted shorter RT, we argue that [Formula: see text] produces a disruption of functionally relevant fast oscillations through an increase in [Formula: see text]-band power, slowing behavioural responses and increasing the complexity of gamma oscillations. Our study highlights the complex interaction between tACS and endogenous brain dynamics, and suggests the use of algorithmic complexity inspired metrics to characterize cortical dynamics in a behaviorally relevant timescale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castellano
- Starlab Barcelona SL, Av. del Tibidabo 47 bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Eleni Kroupi
- Starlab Barcelona SL, Av. del Tibidabo 47 bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Acedo
- Neuroelectrics SLU, Av. del Tibidabo 47 bis, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michela Campolo
- EMG Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS (Institut d'Inveatigació Agustí Pi i Sunyer), Facultat de Medicina, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Josep Valls-Sole
- EMG Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS (Institut d'Inveatigació Agustí Pi i Sunyer), Facultat de Medicina, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ajay Verma
- Biogen Inc., 225 Binney St, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Giulio Ruffini
- Neuroelectrics Corp., 2 10 Broadway, Suite 201, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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5
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Fresnoza S, Christova M, Bieler L, Körner C, Zimmer U, Gallasch E, Ischebeck A. Age-Dependent Effect of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Motor Skill Consolidation. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:25. [PMID: 32116653 PMCID: PMC7016219 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is the application of subthreshold, sinusoidal current to modulate ongoing brain rhythms related to sensory, motor and cognitive processes. Electrophysiological studies suggested that the effect of tACS applied at an alpha frequency (8–12 Hz) was state-dependent. The effects of tACS, that is, an increase in parieto-occipital electroencephalography (EEG) alpha power and magnetoencephalography (MEG) phase coherence, was only observed when the eyes were open (low alpha power) and not when the eyes were closed (high alpha power). This state-dependency of the effects of alpha tACS might extend to the aging brain characterized by general slowing and decrease in spectral power of the alpha rhythm. We additionally hypothesized that tACS will influence the motor cortex, which is involved in motor skill learning and consolidation. A group of young and old healthy adults performed a serial reaction time task (SRTT) with their right hand before and after the tACS stimulation. Each participant underwent three sessions of stimulation: sham, stimulation applied at the individual participant’s alpha peak frequency or individual alpha peak frequency (iAPF; α-tACS) and stimulation with iAPF plus 2 Hz (α2-tACS) to the left motor cortex for 10 min (1.5 mA). We measured the effect of stimulation on general motor skill (GMS) and sequence-specific skill (SS) consolidation. We found that α-tACS and α2-tACS improved GMS and SS consolidation in the old group. In contrast, α-tACS minimally improved GMS consolidation but impaired SS consolidation in the young group. On the other hand, α2-tACS was detrimental to the consolidation of both skills in the young group. Our results suggest that individuals with aberrant alpha rhythm such as the elderly could benefit more from tACS stimulation, whereas for young healthy individuals with intact alpha rhythm the stimulation could be detrimental.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Fresnoza
- Institute of Psychology University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Monica Christova
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences FH-JOANNEUM, Graz, Austria
| | - Lara Bieler
- Institute of Psychology University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christof Körner
- Institute of Psychology University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Ulrike Zimmer
- Institute of Psychology University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg (MSH), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eugen Gallasch
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria.,Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Anja Ischebeck
- Institute of Psychology University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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6
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Van Overwalle F, Manto M, Leggio M, Delgado-García JM. The sequencing process generated by the cerebellum crucially contributes to social interactions. Med Hypotheses 2019; 128:33-42. [PMID: 31203906 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The capacity to understand another person's emotions, intentions, beliefs and personality traits, based on observed or communicated behaviors, is termed social cognition. During the last decade, social neuroscience has made great progress in understanding the neural correlates of social cognition. However, because the cerebellum is traditionally viewed as only involved in motor processing, the contribution of this major part of the brain in social processing has been largely ignored and its specific role in social cognition remains unclear. Nevertheless, recent meta-analyses have made its crucial contribution to social cognition evident. This raises the question: What is the exact function of the cerebellum in social cognition? We hypothesize that the cerebellum builds internal action models of our social inter-actions to predict how other people's actions will be executed, what our most likely responses are to these actions, so that we can automatize our interactions and instantly detect disruptions in these action sequences. This mechanism likely allows to better anticipate action sequences during social interactions in an automatic and intuitive way and to fine-tune these anticipations, making it easier to understand behaviors and to detect violations. This hypothesis has major implications in neurological disorders affecting the cerebellum such as autism, with detrimental effects on social functionality, especially on more complex and abstract social cognitive processes. Because the fundamental anatomical organization of the cerebellum is identical in many species (cerebellar microcomplexes), this hypothesis could have major impacts to elucidate social interactions in social animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario Manto
- Service de Neurologie, CHU-Charleroi, Belgium & Service des Neurosciences, Université de Mons, Belgium.
| | - Maria Leggio
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy; Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
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7
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Sánchez-León CA, Sánchez-López Á, Ammann C, Cordones I, Carretero-Guillén A, Márquez-Ruiz J. Exploring new transcranial electrical stimulation strategies to modulate brain function in animal models. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2018; 8:7-13. [PMID: 30272042 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) refers to a group of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to induce changes in the excitability of cortical neurons in humans. In recent years, studies in animal models have been shown to be essential for disentangling the neuromodulatory effects of tES, defining safety limits, and exploring potential therapeutic applications in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Testing in animal models is valuable for the development of new unconventional protocols intended to improve tES administration and optimize the desired effects by increasing its focality and enabling deep-brain stimulation. Successful and controlled application of tES in humans relies on the knowledge acquired from studies meticulously performed in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Sánchez-León
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013-Seville, Spain
| | - Álvaro Sánchez-López
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013-Seville, Spain
| | - Claudia Ammann
- CINAC, University Hospital HM Puerta del Sur, CEU - San Pablo University, 28938-Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Cordones
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013-Seville, Spain
| | | | - Javier Márquez-Ruiz
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013-Seville, Spain
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8
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Sánchez-León CA, Ammann C, Medina JF, Márquez-Ruiz J. Using animal models to improve the design and application of transcranial electrical stimulation in humans. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2018; 5:125-135. [PMID: 30013890 DOI: 10.1007/s40473-018-0149-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a non-invasive stimulation technique used for modulating brain function in humans. To help tES reach its full therapeutic potential, it is necessary to address a number of critical gaps in our knowledge. Here, we review studies that have taken advantage of animal models to provide invaluable insight about the basic science behind tES. Recent Findings Animal studies are playing a key role in elucidating the mechanisms implicated in tES, defining safety limits, validating computational models, inspiring new stimulation protocols, enhancing brain function and exploring new therapeutic applications. Summary Animal models provide a wealth of information that can facilitate the successful utilization of tES for clinical interventions in human subjects. To this end, tES experiments in animals should be carefully designed to maximize opportunities for applying discoveries to the treatment of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Ammann
- CINAC, University Hospital HM Puerta del Sur, CEU - San Pablo University, 28938-Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier F Medina
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Javier Márquez-Ruiz
- Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013-Seville, Spain
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Wu F, Jin L, Zheng X, Yan B, Tang P, Yang H, Deng W, Yang W. Self-Powered Nanocomposites under an External Rotating Magnetic Field for Noninvasive External Power Supply Electrical Stimulation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:38323-38335. [PMID: 29039642 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Electrical stimulation in biology and gene expression has attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, it is inconvenient that the electric stimulation needs to be supplied an implanted power-transported wire connecting the external power supply. Here, we fabricated a self-powered composite nanofiber (CNF) and developed an electric generating system to realize electrical stimulation based on the electromagnetic induction effect under an external rotating magnetic field. The self-powered CNFs generating an electric signal consist of modified MWNTs (m-MWNTs) coated Fe3O4/PCL fibers. Moreover, the output current of the nanocomposites can be increased due to the presence of the magnetic nanoparticles during an external magnetic field is applied. In this paper, these CNFs were employed to replace a bullfrog's sciatic nerve and to realize the effective functional electrical stimulation. The cytotoxicity assays and animal tests of the nanocomposites were also used to evaluate the biocompatibility and tissue integration. These results demonstrated that this self-powered CNF not only plays a role as power source but also can act as an external power supply under an external rotating magnetic field for noninvasive the replacement of injured nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengluan Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Long Jin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Xiaotong Zheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Bingyun Yan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Pandeng Tang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Huikai Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Weili Deng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Weiqing Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
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