Human applications of transcranial temporal interference stimulation: A systematic review
Ilya Demchenko1, Ishaan Tailor2, Sina Chegini2
1Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael's Hospital - Unity Health Toronto, 193 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1M4, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 6 Queen's Park Crescent, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H2, Canada; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital - Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1X3, Canada.
Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) is a safe, non-invasive brain modulation technique. Early studies show tTIS can engage deep brain targets and improve symptoms in neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuromodulation
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Subcortical structure dysregulation is implicated in numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) offers a novel, non-invasive approach to modulate deep brain regions and neural circuits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review human applications of transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS).
- To evaluate the safety, mechanistic outcomes, and therapeutic effects of tTIS in human participants.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of human tTIS applications was conducted, searching multiple databases up to December 12, 2024.
- Methodological quality was assessed using NIH and modified Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine tools.
- Eligible studies involved human applications of tTIS.
Main Results:
- Twenty published studies and 28 ongoing trials involving 820 participants were reviewed.
- Neuroimaging confirmed tTIS engagement of motor cortex, basal ganglia, and hippocampus.
- Preliminary findings showed acute symptom improvement in Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, with mild adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Phase 1 studies indicate tTIS is safe, well-tolerated, and effective in engaging deep brain targets in humans.
- Further well-controlled Phase 2 trials are necessary to confirm the therapeutic potential of tTIS in patient populations.
