Effects of Different Electrical Brain Stimulation Protocols on Subcomponents of Motor Skill Learning

Prichard, George; Weiller, Cornelius; Fritsch, Brita; Reis, Janine

doi:10.1016/j.brs.2014.04.005

Cited by 76 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Their analysis suggested that the majority of learning occurred offline 1 (cf. Prichard et al 2014). Furthermore, our previous work in the cognitive domain (Au et al 2016) showed similar effects using a WM intervention combined with online tDCS.…”

Section: Experimental Evidencementioning

confidence: 63%

Optimizing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Protocols to Promote Long-Term Learning

Karsten

Buschkuehl

et al. 2017

J Cogn Enhanc

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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that has the potential to induce polarity-specific changes in neural activity within targeted brain regions. There is growing interest in the use of this technology for the enhancement of higher cognitive functions, and application of tDCS directly before or concomitant with task performance has shown promise in modulating a range of behavioral outcomes, including motor skill acquisition, working memory performance, and implicit and explicit learning. The proposed mechanism for the observed enhancements is a temporary and targeted shift in the excitability of the cortical regions that subserve the relevant tasks, lasting from minutes up to about an hour after cessation of stimulation. Although empirical work does support at least a partial role for this mechanism, an arguably more potent but relatively underexplored phenomenon is thought to occur in the hours or days after stimulation-that is, a facilitation of consolidative processes. Here, we review the literature describing the nature of tDCS-enhanced consolidation and argue that some of the mixed results among the single-session studies that currently dominate the extant literature may be explained by a failure to take advantage of these potentially powerful offline effects. Accordingly, we further contend that the full potential of tDCS cannot be truly realized without a longitudinal design which allows for tDCS to act directly upon learning by promoting consolidation between sessions. Finally, we review preliminary evidence that these consolidation effects can be even further enhanced via strategically spaced out stimulation sessions, which take advantage of a long-held tenet in the literature that distributed learning produces better outcomes than massed learning. We conclude by proposing potential study designs to encourage the use of tDCS as more than merely a method to promote temporary enhancement, but also a technique to enhance long-term learning.

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Section: Experimental Evidencementioning

confidence: 63%

Optimizing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Protocols to Promote Long-Term Learning

Karsten

Buschkuehl

et al. 2017

J Cogn Enhanc

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“…Anodal tDC stimulation has been shown to increase the excitability of the motor cortex, while cathodal stimulation decreases its excitability (Nitsche & Paulus, 2000). TDCS can thus influence motor performance (Pavlova, Kuo, Nitsche, & Borg, 2014), and facilitate motor learning (Prichard, Weiller, Fritsch, & Reis, 2014). While the effects of tDCS in conjunction with motor imagery have been studied before (Foerster et al, 2013 andQuartarone et al, 2004), those studies used motor imagery as an independent variable by actively asking participants to imagine motor movements, and measured effects only on dependent physiological variables.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex in waking resting state induces motor imagery

Speth

Harley

2015

Consciousness and Cognition

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This study investigates if anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of areas above the motor cortex (C3) influences spontaneous motor imagery experienced in the waking resting state. A randomized triple-blinded design was used, combining neurophysiological techniques with tools of quantitative mentation report analysis from cognitive linguistics. The results indicate that while spontaneous motor imagery rarely occurs under sham stimulation, general and athletic motor imagery (classified as athletic disciplines), is induced by anodal tDCS. This insight may have implications beyond basic consciousness research. Motor imagery and corresponding motor cortical activation have been shown to benefit later motor performance. Electrophysiological manipulations of motor imagery could in the long run be used for rehabilitative tDCS protocols benefitting temporarily immobile clinical patients who cannot perform specific motor imagery tasks -such as dementia patients, infants with developmental and motor disorders, and coma patients.

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“…Polarity is only of relevance if the stimulation setting includes a stimulation offset, e.g., noise spectrum randomly changing around a +1 mA baseline intensity (usually not used). For the purpose of this article, we will focus on work using tDCS and tRNS effects on the motor system, closely following a recent publication from our lab 6 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Standardization of application across different laboratories and full transparency of stimulation procedures provides the basis for comparability of data which supports reliable interpretation of results and evaluation of the proposed mechanisms of action. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) differ by parameters of the applied electrical current: tDCS consists of an unidirectional constant current flow between two electrodes (anode and cathode) [2][3][4][5][6] while tACS uses an alternating current applied at a specific frequency 7 . Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is a special form of tACS that uses an alternating current applied at random frequencies (e.g., 100-640 Hz) resulting in quickly varying stimulation intensities and removing polarity-related effects 4,6,7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…NEBS applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) has attracted increasing interest as safe and effective method to modulate human motor function 1 . Neurophysiological effects and behavioral outcome may depend on the stimulation strategy (e.g., tDCS polarity or tRNS), electrode size and montage [4][5][6]14,15 . Aside from subject-inherent anatomical and physiological factors the electrode montage significantly influences electric field distribution and may result in different patterns of current spreading within the cortex ; 2) anodal tDCS as bilateral M1 stimulation (also referred to as "bihemispheric" or "dual" stimulation) with the anode positioned on the M1 of interest and the cathode positioned on the contralateral M1 5,6,14,23,24 ; the basic idea of this approach is maximizing stimulation benefits by upregulation of excitability in the M1 of interest while downregulating excitability in the opposite M1 (i.e., modulation of interhemispheric inhibition between the two M1s); 3) For tRNS, only the above mentioned unilateral M1 stimulation montage has been investigated 4,6 ; with this montage excitability enhancing effects of tRNS have been found for the frequency spectrum of 100-640 Hz 4 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function

Curado

Fritsch

Reis

2016

JoVE

Self Cite

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Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation (NEBS) is used to modulate brain function and behavior, both for research and clinical purposes. In particular, NEBS can be applied transcranially either as direct current stimulation (tDCS) or alternating current stimulation (tACS). These stimulation types exert time-, dose-and in the case of tDCS polarity-specific effects on motor function and skill learning in healthy subjects. Lately, tDCS has been used to augment the therapy of motor disabilities in patients with stroke or movement disorders. This article provides a step-by-step protocol for targeting the primary motor cortex with tDCS and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), a specific form of tACS using an electrical current applied randomly within a pre-defined frequency range. The setup of two different stimulation montages is explained. In both montages the emitting electrode (the anode for tDCS) is placed on the primary motor cortex of interest. For unilateral motor cortex stimulation the receiving electrode is placed on the contralateral forehead while for bilateral motor cortex stimulation the receiving electrode is placed on the opposite primary motor cortex. The advantages and disadvantages of each montage for the modulation of cortical excitability and motor function including learning are discussed, as well as safety, tolerability and blinding aspects. Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at

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Effects of Different Electrical Brain Stimulation Protocols on Subcomponents of Motor Skill Learning

Cited by 76 publications

References 47 publications

Optimizing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Protocols to Promote Long-Term Learning

Optimizing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Protocols to Promote Long-Term Learning

Transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex in waking resting state induces motor imagery

Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function

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