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Published on: June 26, 2013
Lesion network guided delta frequency neuromodulation improves cognition in patients with psychosis spectrum
Willa Molho1, Nicolas Raymond1, Robert M G Reinhart2
1Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Translational Neuroscience, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Background:
Transcranial electric stimulation (tES) may improve cognition in psychosis spectrum disorders. However, few studies have used novel tES approaches, such as high definition tES (HD-tES) to target specific brain circuits. Recently, the extrastriate visual cortex (V5/MT) has been causally linked to visual hallucinations through lesion network mapping and this may be a promising approach for improving cognition.
Objective:
We aim to determine if causal lesion network guided HD-tES to V5/MT improves cognitive performance as measured by the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS).
Methods:
A single-blind pilot study with a within-subjects crossover design was performed to characterize the effect of cathodal HD-transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and 2 Hz HD-transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on cognition. Enrolled patients received 20 mins of HD-tES twice daily for 5 consecutive days applied bilaterally to V5/MT with a washout between conditions. BACS assessments were performed at baseline, day-5, and 1-month.
Results:
6 participants with psychosis spectrum disorder were enrolled. 6 individuals received cathodal HD-tDCS. 4 individuals received 2 Hz HD-tACS. HD-tACS resulted in significant (p < 0.1 baseline to 1-month improvements for Digit Sequencing, Verbal Fluency, and Tower of London. HD-tDCS did not result in significant improvement on any task.
Conclusions:
HD-tACS targeting V5/MT may be a promising treatment to improve cognitive abilities in individuals with psychosis. By promoting delta oscillations, tACS may enhance cortico-cortico communications across brain networks to improve verbal working memory, processing speed, and executive function. Large-scale investigations are needed to replicate these results.
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