A Single Application of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Fails to Enhance Motor Skill Acquisition in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to numerous impairments in motor function that compromise the ability to perform activities of daily living. Practical and effective adjunct therapies are needed to complement current treatment approaches in PD. Transcranial direct current stimulation applied to the cerebellum (c-tDCS) can increase motor skill in young and older adults. Because the cerebellum is involved in PD pathology, c-tDCS application during motor practice could potentially enhance motor skill in PD. The primary purpose was to examine the influence of c-tDCS on motor skill acquisition in a complex, visuomotor isometric precision grip task (PGT) in PD in the OFF-medication state. The secondary purpose was to determine the influence of c-tDCS on transfer of motor skill in PD. The study utilized a double-blind, SHAM-controlled, within-subjects design. A total of 16 participants completed a c-tDCS condition and a SHAM condition in two experimental sessions separated by a 7-day washout period. Each session involved practice of the PGT concurrent with either c-tDCS or SHAM. Additionally, motor transfer tasks were quantified before and after the practice and stimulation period. The force error in the PGT was not significantly different between the c-tDCS and SHAM conditions. Similarly, transfer task performance was not significantly different between the c-tDCS and SHAM conditions. These findings indicate that a single session of c-tDCS does not elicit acute improvements in motor skill acquisition or transfer in hand and arm tasks in PD while participants are off medications.

Neural Correlates and Molecular Mechanisms of Memory and Learning

“…These findings suggest that comprehending the neural correlates and molecular mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders, particularly in the context of fear acquisition and extinction, opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the combination of neuropharmacological adjuvants, such as NMDA agonists and cannabinoids, with noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation, offers a promising approach to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Overall, these articles emphasize the complexity and multifaceted nature of memory and learning processes as well as the significance of understanding the neural correlates and molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena.…”

The Impact of C-3 Side Chain Modifications on Kynurenic Acid: A Behavioral Analysis of Its Analogs in the Motor Domain

“…Integrating these interdisciplinary approaches further adds impetus and optimizes strategies, including drug development research, leading to the testing and assessment of potential lead compounds. These outcomes enable researchers to evaluate the effects of novel interventional approaches such as drug-assisted brain stimulation [ 106 , 209 , 210 , 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 ]. These methods demonstrate promise for the development of new and more effective treatments, including novel drugs [ 215 ].…”

From Lab to Life: Exploring Cutting-Edge Models for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

“…The findings of this study could have significant implications for the management of patients with epilepsy, particularly those who are candidates for surgery. de Albuquerque et al investigated the effect of a single application of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (c-tDCS) on motor skill acquisition in PD [ 53 ]. The pilot study found that a single application of c-tDCS failed to enhance motor skill acquisition in the condition.…”