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Transcranial alternating current stimulation in the low kHz range increases motor cortex excitability.
- Source :
-
Restorative neurology and neuroscience [Restor Neurol Neurosci] 2011; Vol. 29 (3), pp. 167-75. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Purpose: External transcranial electric and magnetic stimulation techniques allow for the fast induction of sustained and measurable changes in cortical excitability. Here we aim to develop a paradigm using transcranial alternating current (tACS) in a frequency range higher than 1 kHz, which potentially interferes with membrane excitation, to shape neuroplastic processes in the human primary motor cortex (M1).<br />Methods: Transcranial alternating current stimulation was applied at 1, 2 and 5 kHz over the left primary motor cortex with a reference electrode over the contralateral orbit in 11 healthy volunteers for a duration of 10 min at an intensity of 1 mA. Monophasic single- pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure changes in corticospinal excitability, both during and after tACS in the low kHz range, in the right hand muscle. As a control inactive sham stimulation was performed.<br />Results: All frequencies of tACS increased the amplitudes of motor- evoked potentials (MEPs) up to 30-60 min post stimulation, compared to the baseline. Two and 5 kHz stimulations were more efficacious in inducing sustained changes in cortical excitability than 1 kHz stimulation, compared to sham stimulation.<br />Conclusions: Since tACS in the low kHz range appears too fast to interfere with network oscillations, this technique opens a new possibility to directly interfere with cortical excitability, probably via neuronal membrane activation. It may also potentially replace more conventional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) techniques for some applications in a clinical setting.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Analysis of Variance
Biophysics methods
Electric Stimulation methods
Electromyography methods
Evoked Potentials, Motor physiology
Female
Humans
Male
Reaction Time physiology
Reaction Time radiation effects
Time Factors
Young Adult
Evoked Potentials, Motor radiation effects
Motor Cortex radiation effects
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation methods
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1878-3627
- Volume :
- 29
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Restorative neurology and neuroscience
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 21586823
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3233/RNN-2011-0589