Transcranial Alternating Current and Random Noise Stimulation: Possible Mechanisms
Joint Authors
Herrmann, Christoph S.
Antal, Andrea
Source
Issue
Vol. 2016, Issue 2016 (31 Dec. 2016), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2016-05-03
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a relatively recent method suited to noninvasively modulate brain oscillations.
Technically the method is similar but not identical to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
While decades of research in animals and humans has revealed the main physiological mechanisms of tDCS, less is known about the physiological mechanisms of tACS.
Method.
Here, we review recent interdisciplinary research that has furthered our understanding of how tACS affects brain oscillations and by what means transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) that is a special form of tACS can modulate cortical functions.
Results.
Animal experiments have demonstrated in what way neurons react to invasively and transcranially applied alternating currents.
Such findings are further supported by neural network simulations and knowledge from physics on entraining physical oscillators in the human brain.
As a result, fine-grained models of the human skull and brain allow the prediction of the exact pattern of current flow during tDCS and tACS.
Finally, recent studies on human physiology and behavior complete the picture of noninvasive modulation of brain oscillations.
Conclusion.
In future, the methods may be applicable in therapy of neurological and psychiatric disorders that are due to malfunctioning brain oscillations.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Antal, Andrea& Herrmann, Christoph S.. 2016. Transcranial Alternating Current and Random Noise Stimulation: Possible Mechanisms. Neural Plasticity،Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1113100
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Antal, Andrea& Herrmann, Christoph S.. Transcranial Alternating Current and Random Noise Stimulation: Possible Mechanisms. Neural Plasticity No. 2016 (2016), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1113100
American Medical Association (AMA)
Antal, Andrea& Herrmann, Christoph S.. Transcranial Alternating Current and Random Noise Stimulation: Possible Mechanisms. Neural Plasticity. 2016. Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1113100
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1113100