scholarly journals The peripheral effect of direct current stimulation on brain circuits involving memory

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (45) ◽  
pp. eaax9538
Author(s):  
Sven Vanneste ◽  
Anusha Mohan ◽  
Hye Bin Yoo ◽  
Yuefeng Huang ◽  
Alison M. Luckey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve ◽  
Peripheral Effect ◽  
Memory Event ◽  
Noradrenergic Pathway

An ongoing debate surrounding transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the scalp is whether it modulates brain activity both directly and in a regionally constrained manner enough to positively affect symptoms in patients with neurological disorders. One alternative explanation is that direct current stimulation affects neural circuits mainly indirectly, i.e., via peripheral nerves. Here, we report that noninvasive direct current stimulation indirectly affects neural circuits via peripheral nerves. In a series of studies, we show that direct current stimulation can cause activation of the greater occipital nerve (ON-tDCS) and augments memory via the ascending fibers of the occipital nerve to the locus coeruleus, promoting noradrenaline release. This noradrenergic pathway plays a key role in driving hippocampal activity by modifying functional connectivity supporting the consolidation of a memory event.

scholarly journals Exploring the neural, behavioural, and clinical effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with a Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness; protocol for a double-blind randomised crossover feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davinia Fernández-Espejo ◽  
Davide Aloi ◽  
Antonio Incisa della Rocchetta ◽  
Damon Hoad ◽  
Richard Greenwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Disorder Of Consciousness ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Abstract Background: Therapeutic options for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) are very limited, and patients often show little to no progress over time. It is widely recognized that some PDOC patients retain a higher level of cognition that may be apparent on the basis of their external responses, and simply are unable to produce purposeful motor behaviours. This dissociation has been linked to specific impairments in the motor network that lead to a reduction in thalamo-cortical coupling. Here, we will assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate thalamo-cortical coupling and improve patients’ responsiveness. We will focus on characterising the mechanisms of action of tDCS and the bases for potential individual differences in responsiveness to the stimulation across participants.Methods: This is a multi-centre double-blind randomised crossover feasibility study. It is divided into two streams: (a) MRI stream: 5 PDOC patients will complete 5 anodal, cathodal, and sham stimulation sessions (paired with passive mobilisation of the thumb) in separate weeks. We will measure brain activity and connectivity with functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography (EEG). We will look at brain structures to assess differences associated with responsiveness. (b) Bedside stream: 10 patients will complete one session of anodal or cathodal stimulation and one session of sham. We will measure brain activity and connectivity with EEG and we will conduct follow up assessments at 3 and 6 months. In both streams we will also look at changes in the clinical profile of patients with the Coma Recovery Scale Revised and in command following behaviour with electromyography and motion tracking. We will assess feasibility on measures of eligibility, recruitment, retention, and completion of tests.Discussion: This feasibility study is the first step towards developing personalised tDCS interventions to restore external responsiveness in PDOC patients. Our results will inform the design of a future trial fully powered for characterising neural, behavioural, and clinical effects of tDCS in PDOC as well as the mechanisms underlying individual differences in responsiveness.

scholarly journals Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Facilitate Lower Limb Recovery Following Stroke: Current Evidence and Future Directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Samuel Gowan ◽  
Brenton Hordacre
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Limb Function ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Lower Limb Function

Stroke remains a global leading cause of disability. Novel treatment approaches are required to alleviate impairment and promote greater functional recovery. One potential candidate is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which is thought to non-invasively promote neuroplasticity within the human cortex by transiently altering the resting membrane potential of cortical neurons. To date, much work involving tDCS has focused on upper limb recovery following stroke. However, lower limb rehabilitation is important for regaining mobility, balance, and independence and could equally benefit from tDCS. The purpose of this review is to discuss tDCS as a technique to modulate brain activity and promote recovery of lower limb function following stroke. Preliminary evidence from both healthy adults and stroke survivors indicates that tDCS is a promising intervention to support recovery of lower limb function. Studies provide some indication of both behavioral and physiological changes in brain activity following tDCS. However, much work still remains to be performed to demonstrate the clinical potential of this neuromodulatory intervention. Future studies should consider treatment targets based on individual lesion characteristics, stage of recovery (acute vs. chronic), and residual white matter integrity while accounting for known determinants and biomarkers of tDCS response.

Oscillatory brain activity and transcranial direct current stimulation in humans

Neuroreport ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1307-1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Antal ◽  
Edina T. Varga ◽  
Tamas Z. Kincses ◽  
Michael A. Nitsche ◽  
Walter Paulus
Keyword(s):  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Oscillatory Brain Activity

scholarly journals Timing is everything: event-related transcranial direct current stimulation improves motor adaptation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Weightman ◽  
John Stuart-Brittain ◽  
Alison Hall ◽  
Chris Miall ◽  
Ned Jenkinson
Keyword(s):  
Motor Learning ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Motor Adaptation ◽  
Reaching Movements ◽  
Tight Coupling ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

There is a fundamental discord between the foundational theories underpinning motor learning and how we currently apply transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS). The former is dependent on tight coupling of events; the latter is conducted with very low temporal resolution, typically being applied for 10-20 minutes, prior to or during performance of a particular motor or cognitive task. Here we show that when short duration stimulation epochs (< 3 seconds) are yoked to movement, only the reaching movements repeatedly performed simultaneously with stimulation are selectively enhanced. We propose that mechanisms of Hebbian-like learning are potentiated within neural circuits that are active during movement and concurrently stimulated, thus driving improved adaptation.

Modifications of human brain activity due to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with nicotine dependence

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (06) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Reichenbach ◽  
S Karch ◽  
D Keeser ◽  
H Ludwig ◽  
A Zeren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Nicotine Dependence ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation
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