scholarly journals Does non-invasive brain stimulation modulate emotional stress reactivity?

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenne M Smits ◽  
Dennis J L G Schutter ◽  
Jack van Honk ◽  
Elbert Geuze
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Stress ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Non Invasive

Abstract Excessive emotional responses to stressful events can detrimentally affect psychological functioning and mental health. Recent studies have provided evidence that non-invasive brain stimulation (NBS) targeting the prefrontal cortex (PFC) can affect the regulation of stress-related emotional responses. However, the reliability and effect sizes have not been systematically analyzed. In the present study, we reviewed and meta-analyzed the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the PFC on acute emotional stress reactivity in healthy individuals. Forty sham-controlled single-session rTMS and tDCS studies were included. Separate random effects models were performed to estimate the mean effect sizes of emotional reactivity. Twelve rTMS studies together showed no evidence that rTMS over the PFC influenced emotional reactivity. Twenty-six anodal tDCS studies yielded a weak beneficial effect on stress-related emotional reactivity (Hedges’ g = −0.16, CI95% = [−0.33, 0.00]). These findings suggest that a single session of NBS is insufficient to induce reliable, clinically significant effects but also provide preliminary evidence that specific NBS methods can affect emotional reactivity. This may motivate further research into augmenting the efficacy of NBS protocols on stress-related processes.

scholarly journals Prefrontal brain stimulation during food-related inhibition training: effects on food craving, food consumption and inhibitory control

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 181186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jemma Sedgmond ◽  
Natalia S. Lawrence ◽  
Frederick Verbruggen ◽  
Sinead Morrison ◽  
Christopher D. Chambers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Food Craving ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Predominantly Female ◽  
Inhibition Training ◽  
Healthy Participants

Modulation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity using non-invasive brain stimulation has been shown to reduce food craving as well as food consumption. Using a preregistered design, we examined whether bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the DLPFC could reduce food craving and consumption in healthy participants when administered alongside the cognitive target of inhibitory control training. Participants ( N = 172) received either active or sham tDCS (2 mA; anode F4, cathode F3) while completing a food-related Go/No-Go task. State food craving, ad-lib food consumption and response inhibition were evaluated. Compared with sham stimulation, we found no evidence for an effect of active tDCS on any of these outcome measures in a predominantly female sample. Our findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of single-session tDCS on food craving and consumption. Consideration of individual differences, improvements in tDCS protocols and multi-session testing are discussed.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Investigate Language Production in Healthy Speakers: A Meta-Analysis

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Klaus ◽  
Dennis J.L.G. Schutter
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Language Functioning ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Control Target ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Healthy Participants

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has become a common method to study the interrelations between the brain and language functioning. This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the study of language production in healthy volunteers. Forty-five effect sizes from 30 studies which investigated the effects of NIBS on picture naming or verbal fluency in healthy participants were meta-analysed. Further sub-analyses investigated potential influences of stimulation type, control, target site, task, online vs. offline application, and current density of the target electrode. Random effects modelling showed a small, but reliable effect of NIBS on language production. Subsequent analyses indicated larger weighted mean effect sizes for TMS as compared to tDCS studies. No statistical differences for the other sub-analyses were observed. We conclude that NIBS is a useful method for neuroscientific studies on language production in healthy volunteers.

scholarly journals Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation in dystonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Morrison-Ham ◽  
Gillian M Clark ◽  
Elizabeth G Ellis ◽  
Andris Cerins ◽  
Juho Joutsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Motor Training ◽  
Intraoperative Bleeding ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Small Effect Size ◽  
Deep Brain

Background. Deep brain stimulation is a highly effective treatment of dystonia, but is invasive and associated with risks, such as intraoperative bleeding and infections. Previous research has used non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) in an attempt to alleviate symptoms of dystonia. The results of these studies, however, have been variable, leaving efficacy unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of NIBS on symptoms of dystonia and determine whether methodological characteristics are associated with variability in effect size. Methods. Embase and MEDLINE Complete databases were searched for articles using any type of NIBS as an intervention in dystonia patients, with changes in dystonia symptoms the primary outcome of interest. Results. Meta-analysis of 26 studies demonstrated a small effect size for NIBS in reducing symptoms of dystonia (random-effects Hedges' g = 0.21, p = .002). Differences in the type of NIBS, type of dystonia, and brain region stimulated had a significant effect on dystonia symptoms. Meta-regression revealed that 10 sessions of active stimulation, and the application of concurrent motor training programs resulted in significantly larger mean effect sizes. Conclusion. NIBS has yielded small improvements to dystonic symptoms, but effect sizes depended on methodological characteristics, with more sessions of stimulation producing a larger response. Future research should further investigate the application of NIBS parallel to motor training, in addition to providing a greater quantity of sessions, to help define optimal parameters for NIBS protocols in dystonia. Registration. PROSPERO 2020, CRD42020175944

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