The Brain Stimulation Journal:
Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation Feed. This feed contains the latest published articles, both articles that have been published in an issue as well as articles that have been published as Articles in Press.
- Transcranial laser stimulation: mitochondrial and cerebrovascular effects in younger and older healthy adultsTranscranial laser stimulation is a novel method of noninvasive brain stimulation found safe and effective for improving prefrontal cortex neurocognitive functions in healthy young adults. This method is different from electric and magnetic stimulation because it causes the photonic oxidation of cytochrome-c-oxidase, the rate-limiting enzyme for oxygen consumption and the major intracellular acceptor of photons from near-infrared light. This photobiomodulation effect promotes mitochondrial respiration, cerebrovascular oxygenation and neurocognitive function. ... read more3 days ago
- Spontaneous phase-coupling within cortico-cortical networks: How time counts for brain-state-dependent stimulationThe two primary motor cortices (M1) interact via functional connectivity during resting state and motor activity [1]. Focal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of one M1 results in inhibition of the TMS response of the contralateral M1. This short-interval interhemispheric inhibition (SIHI) is a measure of M1-M1 effective connectivity [2]. The “communication through coherence” theory [3] predicts that alignment of excitation/inhibition periods through synchronization of oscillatory phases in two nodes of a neural network will directly determine the level of effective connectivity between them. ... read more1 week ago
- Cortical plasticity is correlated with cognitive improvement in Alzheimer's disease patients after rTMS treatmentRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been widely used in non-invasive treatments for different neurological disorders. Few biomarkers are available for treatment response prediction. This study aims to analyze the correlation between changes in long-term potentiation (LTP)-like cortical plasticity and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) that underwent rTMS treatment. ... read more2 weeks ago
- Ictal connectivity changes induced by pulvinar stimulation correlate with improvement of awarenessIn patients with epilepsy, alteration of awareness (AOA) during seizures is a disabling feature that can potentially lead to serious consequences such as falls and injuries. Regarding the neural mechanisms underlying AOA in focal seizures, some hypotheses have been put forward. In temporal lobe epilepsy, AOA has been related to the extension of the discharge to subcortical structures and to subsequent widespread inhibition [1] or disturbed synchrony process [2] of the fronto-parietal association cortices. ... read more3 weeks ago
- Pinging the Brain with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reveals Cortical Reactivity in Time and SpaceSingle-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) elicits an evoked electroencephalography (EEG) potential (TMS-evoked potential, TEP), which is interpreted as direct evidence of cortical reactivity to TMS. Thus, combining TMS with EEG can be used to investigate the mechanism underlying brain network engagement in TMS treatment paradigms. However, controversy remains regarding whether TEP is a genuine marker of TMS-induced cortical reactivity or if it is confounded by responses to peripheral somatosensory and auditory inputs. ... read more4 weeks ago
- Frequency-Dependent modulation of cerebellar excitability during the application of non-invasive alternating current stimulationit is well-known that the cerebellum is critical for the integrity of motor and cognitive actions. Applying non-invasive brain stimulation techniques over this region results in neurophysiological and behavioural changes, which have been associated with the modulation of cerebellar-cerebral cortex connectivity. Here, we investigated whether online application of cerebellar transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) results in changes to this pathway. ... read more1 month ago
- Shorter cortical silent period is associated with manic symptom severityTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neurophysiological probe to examine cortical inhibitory circuits with excellent temporal resolution [1]. Specifically, in vivo functioning of the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons can be examined using cortical silent period (CSP; GABAB sub-receptor system), short (SICI; GABAA sub-receptor system) and long (LICI; GABAB sub-receptor system) interval intracortical inhibition paradigms [2,3]. CSP, a transient isoelectric cortical state in response to a suprathreshold TMS pulse has been described as a neuromarker of frontal released reflexes, and, as an extension thereof, of behavioral disinhibition [4]. ... read more3 months ago
- Non-invasive neuromodulation for tinnitus: A meta-analysis and modeling studiesPatients with tinnitus often have poor quality of life, as well as severe anxiety and depression. New approaches to treat tinnitus are needed. ... read more3 months ago
- Right prefrontal intermittent theta-burst stimulation for major depressive disorder: A case seriesRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Left high frequency (HF; ≥ 5Hz), right low frequency (LF; <5Hz), and left intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) have been shown to exhibit approximately equivalent efficacy in numerous studies [1], and bilateral stimulation is delivered according to a left-excitatory/right-inhibitory paradigm to augment response and remission rates [2]. ... read more3 months ago
- Rapid, Dose-Dependent Enhancement of Cerebral Blood Flow by transcranial AC Stimulation in MouseTranscranial electrical stimulation at an appropriate dose may demonstrate intracranial effects, including neuronal stimulation and cerebral blood flow responses. ... read more3 months ago
- Selective optogenetic stimulation of efferent fibers in the vagus nerve of a large mammalElectrical stimulation applied to individual organs, peripheral nerves, or specific brain regions has been used to treat a range of medical conditions. In cardiovascular disease, autonomic dysfunction contributes to the disease progression and electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve has been pursued as a treatment for the purpose of restoring the autonomic balance. However, this approach lacks selectivity in activating function- and organ-specific vagal fibers and, despite promising results of many preclinical studies, has so far failed to translate into a clinical treatment of cardiovascular disease. ... read more3 months ago
- No effect of anodal tDCS on motor cortical excitability and no evidence for responders in a large double-blind placebo-controlled trialTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a non-invasive brain stimulation technique. Most studies show that anodal tDCS increases cortical excitability. However, this effect has been found to be highly variable. ... read more4 months ago
- Transcranial static magnetic field stimulation can modify disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosisGlutamate-mediated excitotoxicity is thought to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [1]. Current pharmacological treatments target glutamatergic neurotransmission, with limited efficacy. Cerebral cortex excitatory transmission can be targeted and modulated using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), with the purpose of antagonizing motor cortical hyper-excitability. ... read more4 months ago