Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Enhances Motor Performance by Modulating Beta-Phase Synchronization in the...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Brain Stimulation

Background:

• Synchronized beta-band oscillations (14-30 Hz) are crucial for sensorimotor processing and motor performance.
• Modulating beta activity in sensorimotor networks may enhance motor function.
• This study investigated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and alternating current stimulation (tACS) for enhancing sensorimotor responses via beta-band synchronization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if tDCS and tACS can improve sensorimotor performance.
• To explore the role of beta-band synchronization in tDCS/tACS-induced motor enhancements.
• To investigate the effects of targeted brain stimulation on neural network connectivity.

Main Methods:

• Eight participants performed a stimulus-response task with keypress responses.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) and response times (RTs) were recorded across five conditions: motor-anodal tDCS, visual-anodal tDCS, alpha tACS, beta tACS, and sham.
• Stimulation effects were assessed during pre-, in-, and post-stimulation periods with one-week intervals between conditions.

Main Results:

• Motor-anodal tDCS significantly reduced response times (RTs).
• EEG data showed a positive correlation between RT reductions and increased beta-phase synchronization between visual and motor areas.
• Alternating current stimulation (tACS) conditions did not yield significant improvements in RT or beta-phase synchronization.

Conclusions:

• Motor-anodal tDCS enhances sensorimotor performance by promoting beta-phase synchronization in the visual-motor network.
• The findings highlight the importance of network-level connectivity for sensorimotor integration and motor function.
• Beta-phase synchronization is critical for integrating visual and motor information, leading to improved task performance.