Dataset Information

Frequency Band-Specific Electrical Brain Stimulation Modulates Cognitive Control Processes.

ABSTRACT: A large body of findings has tied midfrontal theta-band (4-8 Hz) oscillatory activity to adaptive control mechanisms during response conflict. Thus far, this evidence has been correlational. To evaluate whether theta oscillations are causally involved in conflict processing, we applied transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in the theta band to a midfrontal scalp region, while human subjects performed a spatial response conflict task. Conflict was introduced by incongruency between the location of the target stimulus and the required response hand. As a control condition, we used alpha-band (8-12 Hz) tACS over the same location. The exact stimulation frequencies were determined empirically for each subject based on a pre-stimulation EEG session. Behavioral results showed general conflict effects of slower response times (RT) and lower accuracy for high conflict trials compared to low conflict trials. Importantly, this conflict effect was reduced specifically during theta tACS, which was driven by slower response times on low conflict trials. These results show how theta tACS can modulate adaptive cognitive control processes, which is in accordance with the view of midfrontal theta oscillations as an active mechanism for cognitive control.

SUBMITTER: van Driel J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4583279 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Frequency Band-Specific Electrical Brain Stimulation Modulates Cognitive Control Processes.

van Driel Joram J Sligte Ilja G IG Linders Jara J Elport Daniel D Cohen Michael X MX

PloS one 20150925 9

A large body of findings has tied midfrontal theta-band (4-8 Hz) oscillatory activity to adaptive control mechanisms during response conflict. Thus far, this evidence has been correlational. To evaluate whether theta oscillations are causally involved in conflict processing, we applied transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in the theta band to a midfrontal scalp region, while human subjects performed a spatial response conflict task. Conflict was introduced by incongruency between ...[more]

PMID: 26405801

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Project description:Deep brain stimulation is an established therapy for Parkinson's disease; however, its effectiveness is hindered by limited understanding of therapeutic mechanisms and the lack of a robust feedback signal for tailoring stimulation. We recently reported that subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation evokes a neural response resembling a decaying high-frequency (200-500 Hz) oscillation that typically has a duration of at least 10 ms and is localizable to the dorsal sub-region. As the morphology of this response suggests a propensity for the underlying neural circuitry to oscillate at a particular frequency, we have named it evoked resonant neural activity. Here, we determine whether this evoked activity is modulated by therapeutic stimulation - a critical attribute of a feedback signal. Furthermore, we investigated whether any related changes occurred in spontaneous local field potentials. Evoked and spontaneous neural activity was intraoperatively recorded from 19 subthalamic nuclei in patients with Parkinson's disease. Recordings were obtained before therapeutic stimulation and during 130 Hz stimulation at increasing amplitudes (0.67-3.38 mA), 'washout' of therapeutic effects, and non-therapeutic 20 Hz stimulation. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed using clinical bradykinesia and rigidity scores. The frequency and amplitude of evoked resonant neural activity varied with the level of 130 Hz stimulation (p < .001). This modulation coincided with improvement in bradykinesia and rigidity (p < .001), and correlated with spontaneous beta band suppression (p < .001). Evoked neural activity occupied a similar frequency band to spontaneous high-frequency oscillations (200-400 Hz), both of which decreased to around twice the 130 Hz stimulation rate. Non-therapeutic stimulation at 20 Hz evoked, but did not modulate, resonant activity. These results indicate that therapeutic deep brain stimulation alters the frequency of evoked and spontaneous oscillations recorded in the subthalamic nucleus that are likely generated by loops within the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network. Evoked resonant neural activity therefore has potential as a tool for providing insight into brain network function and has key attributes of a dynamic feedback signal for optimizing therapy.

Dataset Information

Frequency Band-Specific Electrical Brain Stimulation Modulates Cognitive Control Processes.

Publications

Frequency Band-Specific Electrical Brain Stimulation Modulates Cognitive Control Processes.

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