Changes in spontaneous brain bioelectrical activity during transcranial electrical and electromagnetic stimulation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuromodulation
• Clinical Neurophysiology

Background:

• Therapeutic transcranial electrical and electromagnetic stimulation (tES/tEM S) are emerging neuro-modulative techniques.
• Assessing the efficacy of tES/tEM S requires understanding neurophysiological responses.
• Chronic post-traumatic unconscious states present challenges in neuro-rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain system responses to therapeutic transcranial electrical and electromagnetic stimulation.
• To identify neurophysiological criteria for assessing tES/tEM S efficacy.
• To explore the relationship between stimulation effects and initial brain intercenter interaction levels.

Main Methods:

• Comparative clinical and experimental study design.
• Analysis of spontaneous bioelectrical activity (EEG).
• Assessment of behavioral and clinical measures in human patients and animal models (Wistar rats).

Main Results:

• A relationship was identified between tES/tEM S effects and the initial coherence of brain bioelectrical activity.
• Hypersynchronization of biopotentials was found to be a major element of reactivity to tES/tEM S.
• The study involved six patients with chronic post-traumatic unconscious states and 17 Wistar rats.

Conclusions:

• Hypersynchronization of biopotentials is a valuable indicator for assessing tES/tEM S efficacy.
• tES/tEM S may be most beneficial for patients with cerebral pathology and initially reduced intercenter brain interactions.
• This research provides neurophysiological criteria for optimizing tES/tEM S in clinical settings.