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Markowska A, Tarnacka B. Molecular Changes in the Ischemic Brain as Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Targets-TMS and tDCS Mechanisms, Therapeutic Challenges, and Combination Therapies. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1560. [PMID: 39062133 PMCID: PMC11274560 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071560] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. As the currently used neurorehabilitation methods present several limitations, the ongoing research focuses on the use of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). NIBS methods were demonstrated to modulate neural excitability and improve motor and cognitive functioning in neurodegenerative diseases. However, their mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated, and the clinical outcomes are often unpredictable. This review explores the molecular processes underlying the effects of TMS and tDCS in stroke rehabilitation, including oxidative stress reduction, cell death, stimulation of neurogenesis, and neuroprotective phenotypes of glial cells. A highlight is put on the newly emerging therapeutic targets, such as ferroptotic and pyroptotic pathways. In addition, the issue of interindividual variability is discussed, and the role of neuroimaging techniques is investigated to get closer to personalized medicine. Furthermore, translational challenges of NIBS techniques are analyzed, and limitations of current clinical trials are investigated. The paper concludes with suggestions for further neurorehabilitation stroke treatment, putting the focus on combination and personalized therapies, as well as novel protocols of brain stimulation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Markowska
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Spartańska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland;
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Kim T, Kang DW, Salazar Fajardo JC, Jang H, Um YH, Kim S, Wang SM, Kim D, Lim HK. Safety and feasibility of optimized transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease: a multicenter study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1356073. [PMID: 38660096 PMCID: PMC11040101 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1356073] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may effectively preserve and improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research has shown that Individual brain characteristics can influence the effects of tDCS. Computer three-dimensional brain modeling based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been suggested as an alternative for determining the most accurate tDCS electrode position based on the patients' individual brain characteristics to enhance tDCS effects. Therefore, this study aims to determine the feasibility and safety of applying tDCS treatment using optimized and personalized tDCS electrode positions in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD)-induced MCI using computer modeling and compare the results with those of a sham group to improve cognitive function. Method A prospective active-sham group feasibility study was set to recruit 40 participants, who will be randomized into Optimized-tDCS and Sham-tDCS groups. The parameters for tDCS will be 2 mA (disk electrodes R = 1.5 cm) for 30 min during two sets of 15 sessions (2 weeks of resting period in between), using two electrodes in pairs. Using computer modeling, the tDCS electrode positions of each participant will be personalized. Outcome measurements are going to be obtained at three points: baseline, first post-test, and second post-test. The AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), together with other secondary outcomes and safety tests will be used. Discussion For the present study, we hypothesize that compared to a sham group, the optimized personalized tDCS application would be effective in improving the cognitive function of patients with AD-induced MCI and the participants would tolerate the tDCS intervention without any significant adverse effects.Clinical trial registration: https://cris.nih.go.kr, identifier [KCT0008918].
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Affiliation(s)
- TaeYeong Kim
- Research Institute, Neurophet Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Woo Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Hanna Jang
- Research Institute, Neurophet Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Hyun Um
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghwan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sheng-Min Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyeon Kim
- Research Institute, Neurophet Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Kook Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Yoon MJ, Park HJ, Yoo YJ, Oh HM, Im S, Kim TW, Lim SH. Electric field simulation and appropriate electrode positioning for optimized transcranial direct current stimulation of stroke patients: an in Silico model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2850. [PMID: 38310134 PMCID: PMC10838316 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52874-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has benefits for motor rehabilitation in stroke patients, but its clinical application is limited due to inter-individual heterogeneous effects. Recently, optimized tDCS that considers individual brain structure has been proposed, but the utility thereof has not been studied in detail. We explored whether optimized tDCS provides unique electrode positions for each patient and creates a higher target electric field than the conventional approach. A comparative within-subject simulation study was conducted using data collected for a randomized controlled study evaluating the effect of optimized tDCS on upper extremity function in stroke patients. Using Neurophet tES LAB 3.0 software, individual brain models were created based on magnetic resonance images and tDCS simulations were performed for each of the conventional and optimized configurations. A comparison of electrode positions between conventional tDCS and optimized tDCS was quantified by calculation of Euclidean distances. A total of 21 stroke patients were studied. Optimized tDCS produced a higher electric field in the hand motor region than conventional tDCS, with an average improvement of 20% and a maximum of 52%. The electrode montage for optimized tDCS was unique to each patient and exhibited various configurations that differed from electrode placement of conventional tDCS. Optimized tDCS afforded a higher electric field in the target of a stroke patient compared to conventional tDCS, which was made possible by appropriately positioning the electrodes. Our findings may encourage further trials on optimized tDCS for motor rehabilitation after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Jeong Yoon
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jung Park
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeun Jie Yoo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Mi Oh
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Traffic Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Jungang-Ro 260, Yangpyeong-EupGyeongki-Do, Yangpyeong-Goon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Im
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Woo Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Traffic Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Jungang-Ro 260, Yangpyeong-EupGyeongki-Do, Yangpyeong-Goon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seong Hoon Lim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
- Institute for Basic Medical Science, Catholic Medical Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Kim T, Salazar Fajardo JC, Jang H, Lee J, Kim Y, Kim G, Kim D. Effect of optimized transcranial direct current stimulation on motor cortex activation in patients with sub-acute or chronic stroke: a study protocol for a single-blinded cross-over randomized control trial. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1328727. [PMID: 38192515 PMCID: PMC10773722 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1328727] [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: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown positive but inconsistent results in stroke rehabilitation. This could be attributed to inter-individual variations in brain characteristics and stroke lesions, which limit the use of a single tDCS protocol for all post-stroke patients. Optimizing the electrode location in tDCS for each individual using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to generate three-dimensional computer models and calculate the electric field (E-field) induced by tDCS at a specific target point in the primary motor cortex may help reduce these inconsistencies. In stroke rehabilitation, locating the optimal position that generates a high E-field in a target area can influence motor recovery. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of personalized tDCS electrode positions on hand-knob activation in post-stroke patients. Method This is a crossover study with a sample size of 50 participants, who will be randomly assigned to one of six groups and will receive one session of either optimized-active, conventional-active, or sham tDCS, with 24 h between sessions. The tDCS parameters will be 1 mA (5 × 5 cm electrodes) for 20 min. The motor-evoked potential (MEP) will be recorded before and after each session over the target area (motor cortex hand-knob) and the MEP hotspot. The MEP amplitude at the target location will be the primary outcome. Discussion We hypothesize that the optimized-active tDCS session would show a greater increase in MEP amplitude over the target area in patients with subacute and chronic stroke than conventional and sham tDCS sessions.Clinical trial registration: https://cris.nih.go.kr, identifier KCT0007536.
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Affiliation(s)
- TaeYeong Kim
- Research Institute, Neurophet Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Hanna Jang
- Research Institute, Neurophet Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Juwon Lee
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonkyung Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Gowun Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyeon Kim
- Research Institute, Neurophet Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
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