Temporal Interference Stimulation Modulates Resting State Functional Connectivity of Motor Circuit in Parkinson's...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuromodulation
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by altered functional connectivity (FC) within the cortical-basal ganglia-thalamic-cortical (CBTC) circuit.
• Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIs) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a novel noninvasive neuromodulation technique with potential therapeutic benefits for PD motor symptoms.
• The precise neuroimaging mechanisms of STN-TIs in PD remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of STN-TIs on the functional connectivity (FC) of the STN and associated regions within the CBTC circuit in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
• To evaluate the impact of a specific TIs protocol (130 Hz) on neural activity patterns.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, crossover study design was employed with 23 participants exhibiting mild-to-moderate PD.
• Participants received either 130 Hz STN-TIs or sham stimulation for 20 minutes.
• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and clinical assessments (MDS-UPDRS-III) were conducted pre- and post-stimulation, with ROI-to-ROI FC analysis performed on the STN and CBTC circuit regions.

Main Results:

• Compared to sham, 130 Hz STN-TIs significantly altered FC: decreased connectivity between the STN and the putamen and caudate nucleus (P < 0.001–0.046).
• STN-TIs also led to increased FC between the STN and the primary motor cortex (M1) (P = 0.002–0.004).
• No severe adverse events were reported during the study.

Conclusions:

• The findings offer preliminary evidence that STN-TIs can modulate resting-state neural activity within the motor circuit in Parkinson's disease.
• This suggests a potential mechanism through which STN-TIs may exert its therapeutic effects on motor symptoms.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the neuromodulatory effects and clinical utility of STN-TIs in PD management.