RESUMO
To the best of our knowledge, neurophysiological markers indicating changes induced by non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on cognitive performance, especially one of the most investigated under these procedures, working memory (WM), are little known. Here, we will briefly introduce frontal midline theta (FM-theta) oscillation (4-8 Hz) as a possible indicator for NIBS effects on WM processing. Electrophysiological recordings of FM-theta oscillation seem to originate in the medial frontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, but they may be driven more subcortically. FM-theta has been acknowledged to occur during memory and emotion processing, and it has been related to WM and sustained attention. It mainly occurs in the frontal region during a delay period, in which specific information previously shown is no longer perceived and must be manipulated to allow a later (delayed) response and observed in posterior regions during information maintenance. Most NIBS studies investigating effects on cognitive performance have used n-back tasks that mix manipulation and maintenance processes. Thus, if considering FM-theta as a potential neurophysiological indicator for NIBS effects on different WM components, adequate cognitive tasks should be considered to better address the complexity of WM processing. Future research should also evaluate the potential use of FM-theta as an index of the therapeutic effects of NIBS intervention on neuropsychiatric disorders, especially those involving the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and cognitive dysfunctions.
RESUMO
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions are promising for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Notwithstanding, the NIBS mechanisms of action over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a hub that modulates affective and cognitive processes, have not been completely mapped. We aimed to investigate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes over the DLPFC and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) of different NIBS protocols using Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). A factorial, within-subjects, double-blinded study was performed. Twenty-three healthy subjects randomly underwent four sessions of NIBS applied once a week: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), combined tDCS + iTBS and placebo. The radiotracer 99m-Technetium-ethylene-cysteine-dimer was injected intravenously during the NIBS session, and SPECT neuroimages were acquired after the session. Results revealed that the combination of tDCS + iTBS increased right sgACC rCBF. Cathodal and anodal tDCS increased and decreased DLPFC rCBF, respectively, while iTBS showed no significant changes compared to the placebo. Our findings suggest that the combined protocol might optimize the activity in the right sgACC and encourage future trials with neuropsychiatric populations. Moreover, mechanistic studies to investigate the effects of tDCS and iTBS over the DLPFC are required.
RESUMO
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, aside from alterations in the electroencephalogram (EEG) already registered. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have been suggested as an alternative rehabilitative therapy, but the neurophysiological changes associated with these techniques are still unclear. We aimed to identify the nature and extent of research evidence on the effects of NIBS techniques in the cortical activity measured by EEG in patients with PD. A systematic scoping review was configured by gathering evidence on the following bases: PubMed (MEDLINE), PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and cumulative index to nursing & allied health (CINAHL). We included clinical trials with patients with PD treated with NIBS and evaluated by EEG pre-intervention and post-intervention. We used the criteria of Downs and Black to evaluate the quality of the studies. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), electrical vestibular stimulation, and binaural beats (BBs) are non-invasive stimulation techniques used to treat cognitive and motor impairment in PD. This systematic scoping review found that the current evidence suggests that NIBS could change quantitative EEG in patients with PD. However, considering that the quality of the studies varied from poor to excellent, the low number of studies, variability in NIBS intervention, and quantitative EEG measures, we are not yet able to use the EEG outcomes to predict the cognitive and motor treatment response after brain stimulation. Based on our findings, we recommend additional research efforts to validate EEG as a biomarker in non-invasive brain stimulation trials in PD.