Non-invasive alternating current stimulation improves vision in optic neuropathy

Sabel, Bernhard A.; Fedorov, A.; Naue, Nicole; Borrmann, A; Herrmann, Christoph S.; Gall, Carolin

doi:10.3233/rnn-2011-0624

Cited by 83 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 88 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition to tDCS, also tACS has recently been applied in therapy of neurological patients (Sabel et al, 2011). The idea of tACS is to interfere with brain oscillations which are known to be relevant for human cognition (Herrmann et al, 2004) and to be disturbed in some psychiatric and neurologic diseases (Herrmann and Demiralp, 2005; Uhlhaas et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Halko et al (2011) demonstrated with a case study that tDCS facilitated rehabilitation of hemianopia. Additionally, Sabel et al (2011) have successfully applied peripheral ACS to the visual system in the restoration of visual function in patients with optic neuropathy. They also reported long lasting EEG changes in the occipital cortex after stimulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Finite-Element Model Predicts Current Density Distribution for Clinical Applications of tDCS and tACS

Neuling¹,

Wagner²,

Wolters³

et al. 2012

Front. Psychiatry

207

174

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been applied in numerous scientific studies over the past decade. However, the possibility to apply tDCS in therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders is still debated. While transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been approved for treatment of major depression in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), tDCS is not as widely accepted. One of the criticisms against tDCS is the lack of spatial specificity. Focality is limited by the electrode size (35 cm2 are commonly used) and the bipolar arrangement. However, a current flow through the head directly from anode to cathode is an outdated view. Finite-element (FE) models have recently been used to predict the exact current flow during tDCS. These simulations have demonstrated that the current flow depends on tissue shape and conductivity. To face the challenge to predict the location, magnitude, and direction of the current flow induced by tDCS and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), we used a refined realistic FE modeling approach. With respect to the literature on clinical tDCS and tACS, we analyzed two common setups for the location of the stimulation electrodes which target the frontal lobe and the occipital lobe, respectively. We compared lateral and medial electrode configuration with regard to their usability. We were able to demonstrate that the lateral configurations yielded more focused stimulation areas as well as higher current intensities in the target areas. The high resolution of our simulation allows one to combine the modeled current flow with the knowledge of neuronal orientation to predict the consequences of tDCS and tACS. Our results not only offer a basis for a deeper understanding of the stimulation sites currently in use for clinical applications but also offer a better interpretation of observed effects.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finite-Element Model Predicts Current Density Distribution for Clinical Applications of tDCS and tACS

Neuling¹,

Wagner²,

Wolters³

et al. 2012

Front. Psychiatry

207

174

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since the minimum lesion age in these studies was 6 months and none of our patients received visual rehabilitation prior to data acquisition we could not investigate the potential effect of (early) rehabilitation onset on preservation of vrQoL which is also an issue for future research. In fact, neuropsychological training to reduce the visual field defect (Vision Restoration Training, e.g., Sabel et al, 2011b) or to improve visual scanning behavior in the area of partial blindness (eye movement training, e.g., Nelles et al, 2010) are well known. It has not been studied yet if patients with optic neuropathies develop compensatory strategies on their own or receive other advice from low vision services or eye specialists that may transfer into effective coping strategies in everyday life and support to maintain vrQoL and mental health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remaining Visual Field and Preserved Subjective Visual Functioning Prevent Mental Distress in Patients with Visual Field Defects

Gall¹,

Brösel²,

Sabel³

2013

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Patients with visual field defects after visual pathway lesion may experience reduced vision-related quality of life (vrQoL). It has not been clarified how vrQoL impairments contribute to vision-related mental distress.Methods: One hundred and eight subjects with visual field defects caused by optic neuropathies (age M = 57.6; SD = 13.7 years) answered the National Eye Institute Visual-Functioning Questionnaire 39 (NEI-VFQ) for vrQoL and the SF-12 Short Form Health Survey for health-related quality of life. A 10 item composite of NEI-VFQ “visual functioning” and 5 items of “mental-health symptoms due to vision problems” were subjected to Rasch analysis. The test battery comprised static and High Resolution Perimetry (HRP). Regression and path analysis were used to investigate associations between QoL, mental distress, and perimetry results.Results: A higher level of “visual functioning” was associated with monocular impairment and a larger remaining visual field compared to binocular impairment. Subjective “visual functioning” but not visual field parameters predicted “mental-health symptoms due to vision problems” which was the only variable associated with the SF-12 mental component score. The SF-12 physical component score was less strongly associated with “mental-health symptoms due to vision problems.” Here, reaction time in HRP and mean threshold in perimetry were additional significant variables. Path analysis revealed a significant path from remaining visual field via visual functioning on mental health.Conclusion: Subjective consequences of visual impairments in everyday life impact mental health rather than “objective” visual function loss as measured by perimetry. Since a higher extent of vrQoL was related to lower levels of mental distress, the maintenance of vrQoL could reduce and prevent mental distress due to vision problems. Patients with persisting visual field defects may benefit from neuropsychological rehabilitation and supportive therapies.

show abstract

“…TACS studies have measured frequency- and task-specific behavioral or cognitive modulations including but not limited to motor function2, working memory performance3, somatosensation4, and visual perception567. Applying alternating current in a noninvasive manner has also resulted in functional improvement in neurological patients, such as tremor reduction in Parkinson's disease8, improved vision in optical neuropathy9, and improved rate of speech, sensory, and motor recovery after stroke10. Despite an increasing number of studies using tACS for research and evidence of its therapeutic potential in clinical settings, the effects of this technique are not fully characterized, and its mechanisms are not completely understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Williams¹,

Cabral‐Calderín

Schmidt‐Samoa³

et al. 2017

JoVE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising tool for noninvasive investigation of brain oscillations. TACS employs frequency-specific stimulation of the human brain through current applied to the scalp with surface electrodes. Most current knowledge of the technique is based on behavioral studies; thus, combining the method with brain imaging holds potential to better understand the mechanisms of tACS. Because of electrical and susceptibility artifacts, combining tACS with brain imaging can be challenging, however, one brain imaging technique that is well suited to be applied simultaneously with tACS is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In our lab, we have successfully combined tACS with simultaneous fMRI measurements to show that tACS effects are state, current, and frequency dependent, and that modulation of brain activity is not limited to the area directly below the electrodes. This article describes a safe and reliable setup for applying tACS simultaneously with visual task fMRI studies, which can lend to understanding oscillatory brain function as well as the effects of tACS on the brain.

show abstract

Non-invasive alternating current stimulation improves vision in optic neuropathy

Cited by 83 publications

References 88 publications

Finite-Element Model Predicts Current Density Distribution for Clinical Applications of tDCS and tACS

Finite-Element Model Predicts Current Density Distribution for Clinical Applications of tDCS and tACS

Remaining Visual Field and Preserved Subjective Visual Functioning Prevent Mental Distress in Patients with Visual Field Defects

Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About