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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on the Primary Motor Cortex by Online Combined Approach with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on the Primary Motor Cortex by Online Combined Approach with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Published on: September 23, 2017

Enhancing cognitive performance with fronto-parietal transcranial alternating current stimulation.

Qiannong Wan¹, Sanne Ten Oever¹, Alexander T Sack¹

¹Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Biological Psychology

|August 21, 2025

Summary

Gamma-band transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) enhanced spatial attention speed in young adults but slowed cognitive control. Theta-band stimulation showed no significant cognitive effects, indicating task-specific tACS benefits.

Keywords:

Cognitive enhancement Fronto-parietal network Gamma HD-tACS Theta

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS for Memory Enhancement

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS for Memory Enhancement

Published on: September 18, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science

Background:

Executive functions are crucial for daily life, and their decline impacts quality of life.
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) targeting the fronto-parietal network (FPN) shows potential for cognitive enhancement.
Inconsistent results exist due to varied tasks and stimulation protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of dual-channel in-phase transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on executive functions.
To synchronize oscillations in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) and right posterior parietal cortex (rPPC).
To explore frequency-specific (6 Hz, 40 Hz, sham) tACS impacts on attention, memory, and cognitive control.

Main Methods:

Used high-definition (HD) dual-channel in-phase tACS to synchronize rDLPFC and rPPC activity.
Tested participants on spatial attention, 3-back memory, and flanker cognitive control tasks during stimulation.
Administered tACS at theta (6 Hz), gamma (40 Hz), and sham frequencies.

Main Results:

Gamma-band (40 Hz) tACS improved response speed in the spatial attention task for younger participants.
Gamma-band (40 Hz) tACS impaired response speed in the flanker cognitive control task.
Theta-band (6 Hz) tACS did not yield significant cognitive performance changes.

Conclusions:

Cognitive enhancement via tACS is frequency- and task-specific.
Optimal stimulation targets and parameters may differ across cognitive domains.
Findings have implications for using tACS to treat cognitive deficits.