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Meng H, Houston M, Zhang Y, Li S. Exploring the Prospects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) as a Therapeutic Intervention for Post-Stroke Motor Recovery: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2024; 14:322. [PMID: 38671974 PMCID: PMC11047964 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040322] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stroke survivors often have motor impairments and related functional deficits. Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) is a rapidly evolving field that offers a wide range of capabilities for modulating brain function, and it is safe and inexpensive. It has the potential for widespread use for post-stroke motor recovery. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), and Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS) are three recognized tES techniques that have gained substantial attention in recent years but have different mechanisms of action. tDCS has been widely used in stroke motor rehabilitation, while applications of tACS and tRNS are very limited. The tDCS protocols could vary significantly, and outcomes are heterogeneous. PURPOSE the current review attempted to explore the mechanisms underlying commonly employed tES techniques and evaluate their prospective advantages and challenges for their applications in motor recovery after stroke. CONCLUSION tDCS could depolarize and hyperpolarize the potentials of cortical motor neurons, while tACS and tRNS could target specific brain rhythms and entrain neural networks. Despite the extensive use of tDCS, the complexity of neural networks calls for more sophisticated modifications like tACS and tRNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Meng
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael Houston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
| | - Yingchun Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA;
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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McCane LM, Wolpaw JR, Thompson AK. Effects of active and sham tDCS on the soleus H-reflex during standing. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:1611-1622. [PMID: 37145136 PMCID: PMC10224818 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06624-7] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Weak transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is known to affect corticospinal excitability and enhance motor skill acquisition, whereas its effects on spinal reflexes in actively contracting muscles are yet to be established. Thus, in this study, we examined the acute effects of Active and Sham tDCS on the soleus H-reflex during standing. In fourteen adults without known neurological conditions, the soleus H-reflex was repeatedly elicited at just above M-wave threshold throughout 30 min of Active (N = 7) or Sham (N = 7) 2-mA tDCS over the primary motor cortex in standing. The maximum H-reflex (Hmax) and M-wave (Mmax) were also measured before and immediately after 30 min of tDCS. The soleus H-reflex amplitudes became significantly larger (by 6%) ≈1 min into Active or Sham tDCS and gradually returned toward the pre-tDCS values, on average, within 15 min. With Active tDCS, the amplitude reduction from the initial increase appeared to occur more swiftly than with Sham tDCS. An acute temporary increase in the soleus H-reflex amplitude within the first minute of Active and Sham tDCS found in this study indicates a previously unreported effect of tDCS on the H-reflex excitability. The present study suggests that neurophysiological characterization of Sham tDCS effects is just as important as investigating Active tDCS effects in understanding and defining acute effects of tDCS on the excitability of spinal reflex pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M McCane
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
- National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, Stratton VAMC, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Jonathan R Wolpaw
- National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, Stratton VAMC, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Aiko K Thompson
- Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President Street, MSC 700, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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Massaferri R, Montenegro R, de Freitas Fonseca G, Bernardes W, Cunha FA, Farinatti P. Multimodal physical training combined with tDCS improves physical fitness components in people after stroke: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Top Stroke Rehabil 2023:1-14. [PMID: 36603594 DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2023.2165260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) seems to be a potential tool to optimize the long-term effects of multimodal physical training (MPT) on fitness components in post-stroke patients. OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of cortical tDCS combined with MPT on motor function reflected by strength, motor performance, and cardiorespiratory capacity in chronic stroke patients. METHODS This double-blind randomized controlled trial included 18 volunteers (55 ± 10 y, 72 ± 13 kg), who underwent MPT preceded by either sham stimulation (SHAM) or 2 mA bi-hemispheric tDCS. MPT consisted of 24 sessions of 60-70 min performed 2 d/wk within 12-16 weeks, with individualized intensity. Outcomes were Fugl-Meyer scores for lower limbs (FM-LL), and total (FM-Total); speed in the 10-m walk test (10MWT); oxygen uptake and work output at maximal effort (VO2max and Wmax), and gas exchange threshold (VO2-GET and W-GET); peak torque of isokinetic knee extension (PT-EXT) and flexion (PT-FLEX) of paretic and non-paretic limbs; bilateral strength deficit during knee extension (DS-EXT) and flexion (DS-FLEX). RESULTS Pre- vs. post-intervention improvements were detected in tDCS vs. SHAM (p < 0.05) for FM-total (29.6% vs. 15.9%; effect size [ES] = 0.78), FM-LL (35.9% vs. 9.0%; ES = 1.23), 10MWT (10.6% vs. 3.8%; ES = 0.67), Wmax (75.0% vs. 4.3%; ES = 1.68), W-GET (91.6% vs. 12.4%; ES = 1.62), PT-EXT (25.6% vs. -6.5%; ES = 1.94) and PT-FLEX (26.3% vs. 9.8%; ES = 0.65) of the paretic limb, and DS-EXT (-13.7% vs. 2.5; ES = 1.43). CONCLUSION Bi-hemispheric cortical tDCS optimized the effects of MPT performed with moderate volume and intensity upon muscle strength, motor function, and cardiorespiratory performance in stroke hemiparetic survivors. (Registration number RBR-22rh3p).
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Massaferri
- Graduate Program in Operational Human Performance, Air Force University, RJ, Brazil.,Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rafael Montenegro
- Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Freitas Fonseca
- Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Exercise Science and Sports, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil
| | - Wendell Bernardes
- Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil
| | - Felipe A Cunha
- Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Exercise Science and Sports, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paulo Farinatti
- Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Exercise Science and Sports, University of Rio de Janeiro State, RJ, Brazil
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Walter HL, Pikhovych A, Endepols H, Rotthues S, Bärmann J, Backes H, Hoehn M, Wiedermann D, Neumaier B, Fink GR, Rüger MA, Schroeter M. Transcranial-Direct-Current-Stimulation Accelerates Motor Recovery After Cortical Infarction in Mice: The Interplay of Structural Cellular Responses and Functional Recovery. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2022; 36:701-714. [PMID: 36124996 DOI: 10.1177/15459683221124116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) promotes recovery after stroke in humans. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain to be elucidated. Animal models suggest tDCS effects on neuroinflammation, stem cell proliferation, neurogenesis, and neural plasticity. OBJECTIVE In a longitudinal study, we employed tDCS in the subacute and chronic phase after experimental focal cerebral ischemia in mice to explore the relationship between functional recovery and cellular processes. METHODS Mice received photothrombosis in the right motor cortex, verified by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A composite neuroscore quantified subsequent functional deficits. Mice received tDCS daily: either 5 sessions from day 5 to 9, or 10 sessions with days 12 to 16 in addition. TDCS with anodal or cathodal polarity was compared to sham stimulation. Further imaging to assess proliferation and neuroinflammation was performed by immunohistochemistry at different time points and Positron Emission Tomography at the end of the observation time of 3 weeks. RESULTS Cathodal tDCS at 198 kC/m2 (220 A/m2) between days 5 and 9 accelerated functional recovery, increased neurogenesis, decreased microglial activation, and mitigated CD16/32-expression associated with M1-phenotype. Anodal tDCS exerted similar effects on neurogenesis and microglial polarization but not on recovery of function or microglial activation. TDCS on days 12 to 16 after stroke did not induce any further effects, suggesting that the therapeutic time window was closed by then. CONCLUSION Overall, data suggest that non-invasive neuromodulation by tDCS impacts neurogenesis and microglial activation as critical cellular processes influencing functional recovery during the early phase of regeneration from focal cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Luise Walter
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anton Pikhovych
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Heike Endepols
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Steffen Rotthues
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes Bärmann
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Heiko Backes
- Multimodal Imaging Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- Cognitive Neuroscience (INM-3), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dirk Wiedermann
- Multimodal Imaging Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Gereon Rudolf Fink
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience (INM-3), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Maria Adele Rüger
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience (INM-3), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Michael Schroeter
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience (INM-3), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
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