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Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 5, 2017
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Mapping entrained brain oscillations during transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)
Matthias Witkowski1, Eliana Garcia-Cossio2, Bankim S Chander1
1Applied Neurotechnology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany.
Neuroimage
|October 21, 2015
Summary
This study introduces a new method combining transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with magnetoencephalography (MEG) to overcome electromagnetic artifacts. This allows for artifact-free brain oscillation mapping, revealing tACS mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Brain Stimulation
Background:
- Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) influences cognitive functions but its mechanisms remain unclear.
- Electromagnetic artifacts from tACS hinder the investigation of neurophysiological effects.
- tACS effects are linked to brain oscillation entrainment and plasticity modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an artifact-free method for investigating tACS neurophysiological mechanisms.
- To precisely map brain oscillations affected by tACS.
- To enable source reconstruction of brain activity during tACS.
Main Methods:
- Combined amplitude-modulated tACS with whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG).
- Utilized MEG for artifact-free source reconstruction.
- Analyzed low- and high-frequency brain oscillations, including gamma band activity.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated feasible artifact-free source reconstruction during tACS.
- Successfully mapped entrained brain oscillations under tACS electrodes.
- Showcased reliable reconstruction of neuromagnetic oscillations in stimulated cortical areas.
Conclusions:
- The novel tACS-MEG approach allows for artifact-free investigation of brain stimulation mechanisms.
- This method opens new possibilities for understanding how tACS modulates brain activity.
- Precise mapping of entrained oscillations provides insights into tACS effects on cognitive functions.
