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Shiga K, Miyaguchi S, Inukai Y, Otsuru N, Onishi H. Transcranial alternating current stimulation does not affect microscale learning. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114770. [PMID: 37984522 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114770] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
A theory has been posited that microscale learning, which involves short intervals of a few seconds during explicit motor skill learning, considerably enhances performance. This phenomenon correlates with diminished beta-band activity in the frontal and parietal regions. However, there is a lack of neurophysiological studies regarding the relationship between microscale learning and implicit motor skill learning. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) during short rest periods on microscale learning in an implicit motor task. We investigated the effects of 20-Hz β-tACS delivered during short rest periods while participants performed an implicit motor task. In Experiments 1 and 2, β-tACS targeted the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the right frontoparietal network, respectively. The participants performed a finger-tapping task using their nondominant left hand, and microscale learning was separately analyzed for micro-online gains (MOnGs) and micro-offline gains (MOffGs). Contrary to our expectations, β-tACS exhibited no statistically significant effects on MOnGs or MOffGs in either Experiment 1 or Experiment 2. In addition, microscale learning during the performance of the implicit motor task was improved by MOffGs in the early learning phase and by MOnGs in the late learning phase. These results revealed that the stimulation protocol employed in this study did not affect microscale learning, indicating a novel aspect of microscale learning in implicit motor tasks. This is the first study to examine microscale learning in implicit motor tasks and may provide baseline information that will be useful in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyosuke Shiga
- Graduate School, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan.
| | - Shota Miyaguchi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Yasuto Inukai
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Naofumi Otsuru
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
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Löffler BS, Stecher HI, Meiser A, Fudickar S, Hein A, Herrmann CS. Attempting to counteract vigilance decrement in older adults with brain stimulation. FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS 2023; 4:1201702. [PMID: 38234473 PMCID: PMC10790873 DOI: 10.3389/fnrgo.2023.1201702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Against the background of demographic change and the need for enhancement techniques for an aging society, we set out to repeat a study that utilized 40-Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to counteract the slowdown of reaction times in a vigilance experiment but with participants aged 65 years and older. On an oscillatory level, vigilance decrement is linked to rising occipital alpha power, which has been shown to be downregulated using gamma-tACS. Method We applied tACS on the visual cortex and compared reaction times, error rates, and alpha power of a group stimulated with 40 Hz to a sham and a 5-Hz-stimulated control group. All groups executed two 30-min-long blocks of a visual task and were stimulated according to group in the second block. We hypothesized that the expected increase in reaction times and alpha power would be reduced in the 40-Hz group compared to the control groups in the second block (INTERVENTION). Results Statistical analysis with linear mixed models showed that reaction times increased significantly over time in the first block (BASELINE) with approximately 3 ms/min for the SHAM and 2 ms/min for the 5-Hz and 40-Hz groups, with no difference between the groups. The increase was less pronounced in the INTERVENTION block (1 ms/min for SHAM and 5-Hz groups, 3 ms/min for the 40-Hz group). Differences among groups in the INTERVENTION block were not significant if the 5-Hz or the 40-Hz group was used as the base group for the linear mixed model. Statistical analysis with a generalized linear mixed model showed that alpha power was significantly higher after the experiment (1.37 μV2) compared to before (1 μV2). No influence of stimulation (40 Hz, 5 Hz, or sham) could be detected. Discussion Although the literature has shown that tACS offers potential for older adults, our results indicate that findings from general studies cannot simply be transferred to an old-aged group. We suggest adjusting stimulation parameters to the neurophysiological features expected in this group. Next to heterogeneity and cognitive fitness, the influence of motivation and medication should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte S. Löffler
- Assistance Systems and Medical Device Technology, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Heiko I. Stecher
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Arnd Meiser
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fudickar
- Assistance Systems and Medical Device Technology, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Hein
- Assistance Systems and Medical Device Technology, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christoph S. Herrmann
- Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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Byczynski G, Vanneste S. Modulating motor learning with brain stimulation: Stage-specific perspectives for transcranial and transcutaneous delivery. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110766. [PMID: 37044280 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110766] [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] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Brain stimulation has been used in motor learning studies with success in improving aspects of task learning, retention, and consolidation. Using a variety of motor tasks and stimulus parameters, researchers have produced an array of literature supporting the efficacy of brain stimulation to modulate motor task learning. We discuss the use of transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial alternating current stimulation, and peripheral nerve stimulation to modulate motor learning. In a novel approach, we review literature of motor learning modulation in terms of learning stage, categorizing learning into acquisition, consolidation, and retention. We endeavour to provide a current perspective on the stage-specific mechanism behind modulation of motor task learning, to give insight into how electrical stimulation improves or hinders motor learning, and how mechanisms differ depending on learning stage. Offering a look into the effectiveness of peripheral nerve stimulation for motor learning, we include potential mechanisms and overlapping features with transcranial stimulation. We conclude by exploring how peripheral stimulation may contribute to the results of studies that employed brain stimulation intracranially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Byczynski
- Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland; Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Sven Vanneste
- Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland; School of Psychology, Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland; Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40, Ireland.
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Wu D, Wang Y, Liu N, Wang P, Sun K, Zhang P. Posttraining anodal tDCS improves early consolidation of visual perceptual learning. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 146:89-96. [PMID: 36563555 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-induced facilitation of early consolidation over a period of extended training sessions and explored the effect of tDCS on visual perceptual learning (VPL) improvement during online learning and offline consolidation. METHODS In the current double-blind sham-controlled study, twenty-four healthy participants were trained on coherent motion direction identification for 5 consecutive sessions. Performance was assessed at the pre- and posttests. Anodal or sham tDCS of the left human middle temporal region (hMT+) was applied immediately after the completion of daily training (termed early consolidation). RESULTS The magnitude of improvement between anodal and sham tDCS was marginally significant, supporting the beneficial effect of anodal tDCS on VPL by stimulating early consolidation. Additionally, anodal tDCS induced a larger improvement between the first two training sessions than sham tDCS. No effect of anodal tDCS was found on the within-session improvement. CONCLUSIONS The above results indicated that anodal tDCS facilitates offline consolidation during the early period of the whole training series, not online learning. The possible neural mechanisms and limitations (sample size and persistent effects) were discussed. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings support the use of the combination of tDCS and behavioral training in facilitating visual rehabilitation and contribute to a deeper understanding of learning processes by neuromodulation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department of Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China; Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical School, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Nursing, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Panhui Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kewei Sun
- Department of Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Pan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China.
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Shen QR, Hu MT, Feng W, Li KP, Wang W. Narrative Review of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Stroke Rehabilitation. Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e938298. [PMID: 36457205 PMCID: PMC9724451 DOI: 10.12659/msm.938298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a disease with a high incidence and disability rate, resulting in changes in neural network and corticoid-subcortical excitability and various functional disabilities. The aim of the present study was to discuss the current status of research and limitations and potential direction in the application of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on post-stroke patients. This literature review focused on clinical studies and reviews. Literature retrieval was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and CNKI, using the following keywords: Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Transcranial alternating current stimulation, Transcranial alternating current stimulation, Transcranial focused ultrasound, Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation, Stroke, and Rehabilitation. We selected 200 relevant publications from 1985 to 2022. An overview of recent research on the use of NIBS on post-stroke patients, including its mechanism, therapeutic parameters, effects, and safety, is presented. It was found that NIBS has positive therapeutic effects on dysfunctions of motor, sensory, cognitive, speech, swallowing, and depression after stroke, but standardized stimulus programs are still lacking. The literature suggests that rTMS and tDCS are more beneficial to post-stroke patients, while tFUS and tVNS are currently less studied for post-stroke rehabilitation, but are also potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-ru Shen
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Meng-ting Hu
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Wei Feng
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Kun-Peng Li
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Wu Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, PR China
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Hu K, Wan R, Liu Y, Niu M, Guo J, Guo F. Effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on motor performance and motor learning for healthy individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1064584. [PMID: 36467691 PMCID: PMC9715745 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1064584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective:Previous behavioral studies have reported the potential of transcranial alternating current stimulation in analyzing the causal relationship between neural activity and behavior. However, the efficacy of tACS on motor performance and learning in healthy individuals remains unclear. This systematic reviewexamines the effectiveness of tACS on motor performance and motor learning in healthy individuals. Methods: Literature was systematically searched through the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science until 16 October 2022. Studies were eligible for review if they were randomized, parallel, or crossover experimental designs and reported the efficacy of tACS on motor performance and motor learning in healthy adults. Review Manager 5.3 was used to evaluate the methodological quality and analyze the combined effect. Results: Ten studies (270 participants) met all the inclusion criteria. The results showed that motor performance was not significantly greater than that with sham tACS stimulation [I2 = 44%, 95% CI (-0.01, 0.35), p = 0.06, standardized mean difference = 0.17], whereas motor learning ability improved significantly [I2 = 33%, 95% CI (-1.03, -0.31), p = 0.0002, SMD = -0.67]. Subgroup analysis found that gamma bend tACS could affect the changes in motor performance (I2 = 6%, 95% CI (0.05, 0.51), p = 0.02, SMD = 0.28), and online tACS did as well [I2 = 54%, 95% CI (0.12, 0.56), p = 0.002, SMD = 0.34]. Conclusion: The results showed that tACS effectively improves motor performance (gamma band and online mode) and motor learning in healthy individuals, which indicates that tACS may be a potential therapeutic tool to improve motor behavioral outcomes. However, further evidence is needed to support these promising results. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022342884.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Hu
- College of Human Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ruihan Wan
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Maolin Niu
- College of Human Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jianrui Guo
- College of Human Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Feng Guo
- College of Human Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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Takeuchi N, Izumi SI. Motor Learning Based on Oscillatory Brain Activity Using Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation: A Review. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1095. [PMID: 34439714 PMCID: PMC8392205 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing effective tools and strategies to promote motor learning is a high-priority scientific and clinical goal. In particular, motor-related areas have been investigated as potential targets to facilitate motor learning by noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS). In addition to shedding light on the relationship between motor function and oscillatory brain activity, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), which can noninvasively entrain oscillatory brain activity and modulate oscillatory brain communication, has attracted attention as a possible technique to promote motor learning. This review focuses on the use of tACS to enhance motor learning through the manipulation of oscillatory brain activity and its potential clinical applications. We discuss a potential tACS-based approach to ameliorate motor deficits by correcting abnormal oscillatory brain activity and promoting appropriate oscillatory communication in patients after stroke or with Parkinson's disease. Interpersonal tACS approaches to manipulate intra- and inter-brain communication may result in pro-social effects and could promote the teaching-learning process during rehabilitation sessions with a therapist. The approach of re-establishing oscillatory brain communication through tACS could be effective for motor recovery and might eventually drive the design of new neurorehabilitation approaches based on motor learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyuki Takeuchi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences 1-1-1, Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Izumi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan;
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Schubert C, Dabbagh A, Classen J, Krämer UM, Tzvi E. Alpha oscillations modulate premotor-cerebellar connectivity in motor learning: Insights from transcranial alternating current stimulation. Neuroimage 2021; 241:118410. [PMID: 34303797 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha oscillations (8-13 Hz) have been suggested to play an important role in dynamic neural processes underlying learning and memory. The goal of this study was to scrutinize the role of alpha oscillations in communication within a cortico-cerebellar network implicated in motor sequence learning. To this end, we conducted two EEG experiments using a serial reaction time task. In the first experiment, we explored changes in alpha power and cross-channel alpha coherence as subjects learned a motor sequence. We found a gradual decrease in spectral alpha power over left premotor cortex (PMC) and sensorimotor cortex (SM1) during learning blocks. In addition, alpha coherence between left PMC/SM1 and left cerebellar crus I was specifically decreased during sequence learning, possibly reflecting a functional decoupling in the broader motor learning network. In the second experiment in a different cohort, we applied 10Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a method shown to entrain local oscillatory activity, to left M1 (lM1) and right cerebellum (rCB) during sequence learning. We observed a tendency for diminished learning following rCB tACS compared to sham, but not following lM1 tACS. Learning-related alpha power following rCB tACS was increased in left PMC, possibly reflecting increase in local inhibitory neural activity. Importantly, learning-specific alpha coherence between left PMC and right cerebellar lobule VIIb was enhanced following rCB tACS. These findings provide strong evidence for a causal role of alpha oscillations in controlling information transfer in a premotor-cerebellar loop during motor sequence learning. Our findings are consistent with a model in which sequence learning may be impaired by enhancing premotor cortical alpha oscillation via external modulation of cerebellar oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Schubert
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Alhuda Dabbagh
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Ulrike M Krämer
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck 23562, Germany; Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck 23562, Germany; Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Elinor Tzvi
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
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Goldthorpe RA, Rapley JM, Violante IR. A Systematic Review of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Applications to Memory in Healthy Aging. Front Neurol 2020; 11:575075. [PMID: 33193023 PMCID: PMC7604325 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.575075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It has long been acknowledged that memory changes over the course of one's life, irrespective of diseases like dementia. Approaches to mitigate these changes have however yielded mixed results. Brain stimulation has been identified as one novel approach of augmenting older adult's memory. Thus far, such approaches have however been nuanced, targeting different memory domains with different methodologies. This has produced an amalgam of research with an unclear image overall. This systematic review therefore aims to clarify this landscape, evaluating, and interpreting available research findings in a coherent manner. A systematic search of relevant literature was conducted across Medline, PsycInfo, Psycarticles and the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, which uncovered 44 studies employing non-invasive electrical brain stimulation in healthy older adults. All studies were of generally good quality spanning numerous memory domains. Within these, evidence was found for non-invasive brain stimulation augmenting working, episodic, associative, semantic, and procedural memory, with the first three domains having the greatest evidence base. Key sites for stimulation included the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), temporoparietal region, and primary motor cortex, with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) holding the greatest literature base. Inconsistencies within the literature are highlighted and interpreted, however this discussion was constrained by potential confounding variables within the literature, a risk of bias, and challenges defining research aims and results. Non-invasive brain stimulation often did however have a positive and predictable impact on older adult's memory, and thus warrants further research to better understand these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica M Rapley
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Ines R Violante
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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