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Published on: January 3, 2020
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Trans-spinal direct current stimulation modifies spinal cord excitability through synaptic and axonal mechanisms
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island for Developmental Neuroscience, the College of Staten Island, Staten IslandNew York, New York Graduate Center/The City University of New York, New York, New York.
Physiological Reports
|September 30, 2014
Summary
Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) affects nerve responses differently based on current polarity and stimulation frequency. Understanding these neurophysiological changes is key for designing effective tsDCS interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Electrophysiology
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
Background:
- The spinal cord's complexity suggests trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) induces diverse neurophysiological changes.
- Investigating tsDCS effects on both synaptic and nonsynaptic transmission is crucial for understanding its mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate the effects of tsDCS on synaptic versus nonsynaptic nerve transmission.
- To identify factors influencing tsDCS outcomes for improved intervention design.
Main Methods:
- Stimulated the medullary longitudinal fascicle and recorded sciatic nerve and muscle responses.
- Applied cathodal (c-tsDCS) and anodal (a-tsDCS) stimulation, analyzing effects on response amplitude and after-effects.
- Examined tsDCS impact on lateral funiculus tract (LFT) and dorsal root fiber excitability.
- Investigated local direct current (DC) effects on sciatic nerve axonal excitability.
Main Results:
- Cathodal-tsDCS increased response amplitude; anodal-tsDCS decreased it.
- After-effects varied with stimulation frequency, with c-tsDCS enhancing high-frequency responses and a-tsDCS enhancing low-frequency responses.
- c-tsDCS increased LFT and dorsal root fiber excitability, while a-tsDCS had mixed effects.
- Axonal excitability changes depended on DC polarity, duration, orientation, and proximity.
Conclusions:
- tsDCS influences both synaptic and axonal mechanisms, contributing to observed neurophysiological changes.
- Multiple factors, including current polarity, stimulation parameters, and tissue properties, modulate tsDCS effects.
- These findings are vital for interpreting tsDCS research and optimizing therapeutic applications.
