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De Koninck BP, Brazeau D, Deshaies AA, Briand MM, Maschke C, Williams V, Arbour C, Williamson D, Duclos C, Bernard F, Blain-Moraes S, De Beaumont L. Modulation of brain activity in brain-injured patients with a disorder of consciousness in intensive care with repeated 10-Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS): a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078281. [PMID: 38991682 PMCID: PMC11243138 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Therapeutic interventions for disorders of consciousness lack consistency; evidence supports non-invasive brain stimulation, but few studies assess neuromodulation in acute-to-subacute brain-injured patients. This study aims to validate the feasibility and assess the effect of a multi-session transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) intervention in subacute brain-injured patients on recovery of consciousness, related brain oscillations and brain network dynamics. METHODS AND ANALYSES The study is comprised of two phases: a validation phase (n=12) and a randomised controlled trial (n=138). Both phases will be conducted in medically stable brain-injured adult patients (traumatic brain injury and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy), with a Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤12 after continuous sedation withdrawal. Recruitment will occur at the intensive care unit of a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The intervention includes a 20 min 10 Hz tACS at 1 mA intensity or a sham session over parieto-occipital cortical sites, repeated over five consecutive days. The current's frequency targets alpha brain oscillations (8-13 Hz), known to be associated with consciousness. Resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) will be recorded four times daily for five consecutive days: pre and post-intervention, at 60 and 120 min post-tACS. Two additional recordings will be included: 24 hours and 1-week post-protocol. Multimodal measures (blood samples, pupillometry, behavioural consciousness assessments (Coma Recovery Scale-revised), actigraphy measures) will be acquired from baseline up to 1 week after the stimulation. EEG signal analysis will focus on the alpha bandwidth (8-13 Hz) using spectral and functional network analyses. Phone assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months post-tACS, will measure long-term functional recovery, quality of life and caregivers' burden. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the Research Ethics Board of the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (Project ID 2021-2279). The findings of this two-phase study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal and submitted for presentation at conferences. The trial's results will be published on a public trial registry database (ClinicalTrials.gov). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05833568.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béatrice P De Koninck
- Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Center, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daphnee Brazeau
- Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Center, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Marie-Michele Briand
- CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- IRDPQ, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charlotte Maschke
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Virginie Williams
- Research Center, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Caroline Arbour
- Research Center, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Catherine Duclos
- Research Center, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Francis Bernard
- Research Center, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stefanie Blain-Moraes
- Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis De Beaumont
- Research Center, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Surgery, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Di Dona G, Zamfira DA, Battista M, Battaglini L, Perani D, Ronconi L. The role of parietal beta-band activity in the resolution of visual crowding. Neuroimage 2024; 289:120550. [PMID: 38382861 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120550] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual crowding is the difficulty in identifying an object when surrounded by neighbouring flankers, representing a bottleneck for object perception. Crowding arises not only from the activity of visual areas but also from parietal areas and fronto-parietal network activity. Parietal areas would provide the dorsal-to-ventral guidance for object identification and the fronto-parietal network would modulate the attentional resolution. Several studies highlighted the relevance of beta oscillations (15-25 Hz) in these areas for visual crowding and other connatural visual phenomena. In the present study, we investigated the differential contribution of beta oscillations in the parietal cortex and fronto-parietal network in the resolution of visual crowding. During a crowding task with letter stimuli, high-definition transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) in the beta band (18 Hz) was delivered bilaterally on parietal sites, on the right fronto-parietal network, and in a sham regime. Resting-state EEG was recorded before and after stimulation to measure tACS-induced aftereffects. The influence of crowding was reduced only when tACS was delivered bilaterally on parietal sites. In this condition, beta power was reduced after the stimulation. Furthermore, the magnitude of tACS-induced aftereffects varied as a function of individual differences in beta oscillations. Results corroborate the link between parietal beta oscillations and visual crowding, providing fundamental insights on brain rhythms underlying the dorsal-to-ventral guidance in visual perception and suggesting that beta tACS can induce plastic changes in these areas. Remarkably, these findings open new possibilities for neuromodulatory interventions for disorders characterised by abnormal crowding, such as dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Dona
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano MI, Italy; School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano MI, Italy.
| | - Denisa Adina Zamfira
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano MI, Italy; School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano MI, Italy
| | - Martina Battista
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano MI, Italy; MoMiLab Research Unit, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Piazza S. Francesco 19, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
| | - Luca Battaglini
- Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova PD, Italy
| | - Daniela Perani
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano MI, Italy; School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano MI, Italy
| | - Luca Ronconi
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano MI, Italy; School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano MI, Italy.
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Wang J, Choi KY, Thompson B, Chan HHL, Cheong AMY. The effect of montages of transcranial alternating current stimulation on occipital responses-a sham-controlled pilot study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1273044. [PMID: 38328519 PMCID: PMC10849049 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1273044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Transcranial alternative current stimulation (tACS) refers to a promising non-invasive technique to improve brain functions. However, owing to various stimulation parameters in the literature, optimization of the stimulation is warranted. In this study, the authors aimed to compare the effect of tACS electrode montages on occipital responses. Methods In three montage sessions (i.e., Oz-Cz, Oz-cheek, and sham), 10 healthy young adults participated, receiving 20-min 2-mA alpha-tACS. Pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were measured before tACS (T0), immediately after (T20), and 20 min (T40) after tACS. Normalized changes in time-domain features (i.e., N75, P100 amplitudes, and P100 latency) and frequency-domain features [i.e., power spectral density in alpha (PSDα) and beta (PSDβ) bands] were evaluated. Results In contrast to our hypothesis, the occipital response decreased immediately (T20) after receiving the 20-min tACS in all montages in terms of P100 amplitude (p = 0.01). This reduction returned to baseline level (T0) in Oz-cheek and sham conditions but sustained in the Oz-Cz condition (T40, p = 0.03) after 20 min of tACS. The effects on N75 amplitude and P100 latency were statistically insignificant. For spectral analysis, both PSDα and PSDβ were significantly increased after tACS at T20, in which the effect sustained until T40. However, there was no differential effect by montages. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of sensations across the montages. The effectiveness of the blinding is supported by the participants' rate of guessing correctly. Conclusion This study revealed an immediate inhibitory effect of tACS, regardless of the montages. This inhibitory effect sustained in the Oz-Cz montage but faded out in other montages after 20 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Wang
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kai Yip Choi
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Henry Ho Lung Chan
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Allen Ming Yan Cheong
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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De Koninck BP, Brazeau D, Guay S, Herrero Babiloni A, De Beaumont L. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Modulate Alpha Activity: A Systematic Review. Neuromodulation 2023; 26:1549-1584. [PMID: 36725385 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.12.007] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has been one of numerous investigation methods used for their potential to modulate brain oscillations; however, such investigations have given contradictory results and a lack of standardization. OBJECTIVES In this systematic review, we aimed to assess the potential of tACS to modulate alpha spectral power. The secondary outcome was the identification of tACS methodologic key parameters, adverse effects, and sensations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Studies in healthy adults who were receiving active and sham tACS intervention or any differential condition were included. The main outcome assessed was the increase/decrease of alpha spectral power through either electroencephalography or magnetoencephalography. Secondary outcomes were methodologic parameters, sensation reporting, and adverse effects. Risks of bias and the study quality were assessed with the Cochrane assessment tool. RESULTS We obtained 1429 references, and 20 met the selection criteria. A statistically significant alpha-power increase was observed in nine studies using continuous tACS stimulation and two using intermittent tACS stimulation set at a frequency within the alpha range. A statistically significant alpha-power increase was observed in three more studies using a stimulation frequency outside the alpha range. Heterogeneity among stimulation parameters was recognized. Reported adverse effects were mild. The implementation of double blind was identified as challenging using tACS, in part owing to electrical artifacts generated by stimulation on the recorded signal. CONCLUSIONS Most assessed studies reported that tACS has the potential to modulate brain alpha power. The optimization of this noninvasive brain stimulation method is of interest mostly for its potential clinical applications with neurological conditions associated with perturbations in alpha brain activity. However, more research efforts are needed to standardize optimal parameters to achieve lasting modulation effects, develop methodologic alternatives to reduce experimental bias, and improve the quality of studies using tACS to modulate brain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice P De Koninck
- Sports and Trauma Applied Research Lab, Montreal Sacred Heart Hospital, CIUSSS North-Montreal-Island, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Daphnée Brazeau
- Sports and Trauma Applied Research Lab, Montreal Sacred Heart Hospital, CIUSSS North-Montreal-Island, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Samuel Guay
- Sports and Trauma Applied Research Lab, Montreal Sacred Heart Hospital, CIUSSS North-Montreal-Island, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alberto Herrero Babiloni
- Sports and Trauma Applied Research Lab, Montreal Sacred Heart Hospital, CIUSSS North-Montreal-Island, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis De Beaumont
- Sports and Trauma Applied Research Lab, Montreal Sacred Heart Hospital, CIUSSS North-Montreal-Island, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
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Draganov M, Galiano-Landeira J, Doruk Camsari D, Ramírez JE, Robles M, Chanes L. Noninvasive modulation of predictive coding in humans: causal evidence for frequency-specific temporal dynamics. Cereb Cortex 2023:7156779. [PMID: 37154618 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad127] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that the brain predicts sensory input based on past experiences, importantly constraining how we experience the world. Despite a growing interest on this framework, known as predictive coding, most of such approaches to multiple psychological domains continue to be theoretical or primarily provide correlational evidence. We here explored the neural basis of predictive processing using noninvasive brain stimulation and provide causal evidence of frequency-specific modulations in humans. Participants received 20 Hz (associated with top-down/predictions), 50 Hz (associated with bottom-up/prediction errors), or sham transcranial alternating current stimulation on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex while performing a social perception task in which facial expression predictions were induced and subsequently confirmed or violated. Left prefrontal 20 Hz stimulation reinforced stereotypical predictions. In contrast, 50 Hz and sham stimulation failed to yield any significant behavioral effects. Moreover, the frequency-specific effect observed was further supported by electroencephalography data, which showed a boost of brain activity at the stimulated frequency band. These observations provide causal evidence for how predictive processing may be enabled in the human brain, setting up a needed framework to understand how it may be disrupted across brain-related conditions and potentially restored through noninvasive methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metodi Draganov
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jordi Galiano-Landeira
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Deniz Doruk Camsari
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Jairo-Enrique Ramírez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Marta Robles
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Lorena Chanes
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Serra Húnter Programme, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona 08002, Spain
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No aftereffects of high current density 10 Hz and 20 Hz tACS on sensorimotor alpha and beta oscillations. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21416. [PMID: 34725379 PMCID: PMC8560917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00850-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Application of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is thought to modulate ongoing brain oscillations in a frequency-dependent manner. However, recent studies report various and sometimes inconsistent results regarding its capacity to induce changes in cortical activity beyond the stimulation period. Here, thirty healthy volunteers participated in a randomized, cross-over, sham-controlled, double-blind study using EEG to measure the offline effects of tACS on alpha and beta power. Sham and high current density tACS (1 mA; 10 Hz and 20 Hz; 0.32 mA/cm2) were applied for 20 min over bilateral sensorimotor areas and EEG was recorded at rest before and after stimulation for 20 min. Bilateral tACS was not associated with significant changes in local alpha and beta power frequencies at stimulation sites (C3 and C4 electrodes). Overall, the present results fail to provide evidence that bilateral tACS with high current density applied over sensorimotor regions at 10 and 20 Hz reliably modulates offline brain oscillation power at the stimulation site. These results may have implications for the design and implementation of future protocols aiming to induce sustained changes in brain activity, including in clinical populations.
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