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Review
. 2017 Oct;12(10):1590-1594.
doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.217322.

Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation: from acute to late-stage treatment of central nervous system damage

Petra Henrich-Noack  1 , Elena G Sergeeva  2 , Bernhard A Sabel  1
Affiliations
Review

Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation: from acute to late-stage treatment of central nervous system damage

Petra Henrich-Noack et al. Neural Regen Res. 2017 Oct.

Abstract

Non-invasive brain current stimulation (NIBS) is a promising and versatile tool for inducing neuroplasticity, protection and functional rehabilitation of damaged neuronal systems. It is technically simple, requires no surgery, and has significant beneficial effects. However, there are various technical approaches for NIBS which influence neuronal networks in significantly different ways. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), alternating current stimulation (ACS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) all have been applied to modulate brain activity in animal experiments under normal and pathological conditions. Also clinical trials have shown that tDCS, rTMS and ACS induce significant behavioural effects and can - depending on the parameters chosen - enhance or decrease brain excitability and influence performance and learning as well as rehabilitation and protective mechanisms. The diverse phaenomena and partially opposing effects of NIBS are not yet fully understood and mechanisms of action need to be explored further in order to select appropriate parameters for a given task, such as current type and strength, timing, distribution of current densities and electrode position. In this review, we will discuss the various parameters which need to be considered when designing a NIBS protocol and will put them into context with the envisaged applications in experimental neurobiology and medicine such as vision restoration, motor rehabilitation and cognitive enhancement.

Keywords: neuroprotection; non-invasive brain stimulation; restoration of function; stroke; transcranial direct current stimulation; transcranial magnetic stimulation; transorbital alternating current stimulation; trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Concepts and categories of brain damage and diseases (A) Temporal phases of brain pathphysiologies. (B) Categories of post-lesional interventions in neurology.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow chart for designing non-invasive electrical brain stimulation (NIBS) protocols tDCS: Transcranial direct current stimulation; TMS: transcranial magnetic stimulation; ACS: alternating current stimulation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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