Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025
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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Simultaneous Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: April 27, 2014
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White matter hyperintensities affect transcranial electrical stimulation in the aging brain.
Aprinda Indahlastari1, Alejandro Albizu2, Emanuel M Boutzoukas1
1Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Brain Stimulation
|November 20, 2020
Summary
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) impact brain models in older adults. Including WMH in transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) models improves accuracy for aging brain current flow predictions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Computational Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMH) affect over 63% of adults aged 60+
- WMH are visible on T2-weighted FLAIR MRI scans.
- WMH can alter electrical current flow in the aging brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of WMH on individualized transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) models.
- To enhance the accuracy of current flow predictions in the aging brain.
Main Methods:
- Individualized head models were created from T1-weighted MRI scans of 130 healthy older adults.
- Lesions from FLAIR images were segmented and incorporated into the models.
- Brain current densities were computed and compared between models with and without WMH.
Main Results:
- Integrating WMH decreased median current densities by up to 7% outside lesion areas.
- A positive correlation was found between changes in current density and total lesion volume (R² = 0.31, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Incorporating WMH into individualized models enhances the accuracy of predicted tES current flow.
- This approach is crucial for understanding tES effects in the aging brain.
