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Romanella SM, Mencarelli L, Seyedmadani K, Jillings S, Tomilovskaya E, Rukavishnikov I, Sprugnoli G, Rossi S, Wuyts FL, Santarnecchi E. Optimizing transcranial magnetic stimulation for spaceflight applications. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:26. [PMID: 36977683 PMCID: PMC10050431 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00249-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As space agencies aim to reach and build installations on Mars, the crews will face longer exposure to extreme environments that may compromise their health and performance. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a painless non-invasive brain stimulation technique that could support space exploration in multiple ways. However, changes in brain morphology previously observed after long-term space missions may impact the efficacy of this intervention. We investigated how to optimize TMS for spaceflight-associated brain changes. Magnetic resonance imaging T1-weighted scans were collected from 15 Roscosmos cosmonauts and 14 non-flyer participants before, after 6 months on the International Space Station, and at a 7-month follow-up. Using biophysical modeling, we show that TMS generates different modeled responses in specific brain regions after spaceflight in cosmonauts compared to the control group. Differences are related to spaceflight-induced structural brain changes, such as those impacting cerebrospinal fluid volume and distribution. We suggest solutions to individualize TMS to enhance its efficacy and precision for potential applications in long-duration space missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Romanella
- Precision Neuroscience and Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - L Mencarelli
- Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, IRCSS "Santa Lucia" Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - K Seyedmadani
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Houston, NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S Jillings
- Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace (LEIA), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - E Tomilovskaya
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - I Rukavishnikov
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - G Sprugnoli
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - S Rossi
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Human Physiology Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - F L Wuyts
- Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace (LEIA), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - E Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience and Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Romanella SM, Sprugnoli G, Ruffini G, Seyedmadani K, Rossi S, Santarnecchi E. Noninvasive Brain Stimulation & Space Exploration: Opportunities and Challenges. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:294-319. [PMID: 32937115 PMCID: PMC8361862 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
As NASA prepares for longer space missions aiming for the Moon and Mars, astronauts' health and performance are becoming a central concern due to the threats associated with galactic cosmic radiation, unnatural gravity fields, and life in extreme environments. In space, the human brain undergoes functional and structural changes related to fluid shift and changes in intracranial pressure. Behavioral abnormalities, such as cognitive deficits, sleep disruption, and visuomotor difficulties, as well as psychological effects, are also an issue. We discuss opportunities and challenges of noninvasive brain stimulation (NiBS) methods - including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) - to support space exploration in several ways. NiBS includes safe and portable techniques already applied in a wide range of cognitive and motor domains, as well as therapeutically. NiBS could be used to enhance in-flight performance, supporting astronauts during pre-flight Earth-based training, as well as to identify biomarkers of post-flight brain changes for optimization of rehabilitation/compensatory strategies. We review these NiBS techniques and their effects on brain physiology, psychology, and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Romanella
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy
| | - G Sprugnoli
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Radiology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - G Ruffini
- Neuroelectrics Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - K Seyedmadani
- University Space Research Association NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA; Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - S Rossi
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy; Human Physiology Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - E Santarnecchi
- Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy; Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Momi D, Neri F, Coiro G, Smeralda C, Veniero D, Sprugnoli G, Rossi A, Pascual-Leone A, Rossi S, Santarnecchi E. Cognitive Enhancement via Network-Targeted Cortico-cortical Associative Brain Stimulation. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:1516-1527. [PMID: 31667497 PMCID: PMC7132941 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluid intelligence (gf) represents a crucial component of human cognition, as it correlates with academic achievement, successful aging, and longevity. However, it has strong resilience against enhancement interventions, making the identification of gf enhancement approaches a key unmet goal of cognitive neuroscience. Here, we applied a spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP)-inducing brain stimulation protocol, named cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (cc-PAS), to modulate gf in 29 healthy young subjects (13 females-mean ± standard deviation, 25.43 years ± 3.69), based on dual-coil transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Pairs of neuronavigated TMS pulses (10-ms interval) were delivered over two frontoparietal nodes of the gf network, based on individual functional magnetic resonance imaging data and in accordance with cognitive models of information processing across the prefrontal and parietal lobe. cc-PAS enhanced accuracy at gf tasks, with parieto-frontal and fronto-parietal stimulation significantly increasing logical and relational reasoning, respectively. Results suggest the possibility of using SPTD-inducing TMS protocols to causally validate cognitive models by selectively engaging relevant networks and manipulating inter-regional temporal dynamics supporting specific cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Momi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - F Neri
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - G Coiro
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - C Smeralda
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - D Veniero
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow, UK
| | - G Sprugnoli
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - A Rossi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - A Pascual-Leone
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Division of Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - S Rossi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Human Physiology Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - E Santarnecchi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Siena School of Medicine, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Division of Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Sprugnoli G, Monti L, Lippa L, Neri F, Mencarelli L, Ruffini G, Salvador R, Oliveri G, Batani B, Momi D, Cerase A, Pascual-Leone A, Rossi A, Rossi S, Santarnecchi E. Reduction of intratumoral brain perfusion by noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation. Sci Adv 2019; 5:eaau9309. [PMID: 31453319 PMCID: PMC6693907 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau9309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Malignant brain neoplasms have a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatments. Animal models and evidence from human bodily tumors reveal that sustained reduction in tumor perfusion via electrical stimulation promotes tumor necrosis, therefore possibly representing a therapeutic option for patients with brain tumors. Here, we demonstrate that transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) allows to safely and noninvasively reduce intratumoral perfusion in humans. Selected patients with glioblastoma or metastasis underwent tES, while perfusion was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Multichannel tES was applied according to personalized biophysical modeling, to maximize the induced electrical field over the solid tumor mass. All patients completed the study and tolerated the procedure without adverse effects, with tES selectively reducing the perfusion of the solid tumor. Results potentially open the door to noninvasive therapeutic interventions in brain tumors based on stand-alone tES or its combination with other available therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Sprugnoli
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
| | - L. Monti
- Unit of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” Medical Center, Siena, Italy
| | - L. Lippa
- Unit of Neurosurgery, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” Medical Center, Siena, Italy
| | - F. Neri
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
| | - L. Mencarelli
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - G. Oliveri
- Unit of Neurosurgery, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” Medical Center, Siena, Italy
| | - B. Batani
- Unit of Neurosurgery, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” Medical Center, Siena, Italy
| | - D. Momi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
| | - A. Cerase
- Unit of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” Medical Center, Siena, Italy
| | - A. Pascual-Leone
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institut Guttmann, Universitat Autonoma Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Rossi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Human Physiology Section, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
| | - S. Rossi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Human Physiology Section, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
| | - E. Santarnecchi
- Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Sprugnoli G, Liew S, Bricolo E, Costantini G, Salvi C, Musaeus C, Rossi S, Rossi A, Pascual-Leone A, Santarnecchi E. Going beyond the Eureka moment: enhancement of insightful solutions by means of tACS and tRNS. Brain Stimul 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2017.01.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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