Abstract
Non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation (NTBS) techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial current stimulation (TCS) are important tools in human systems and cognitive neuroscience because they are able to reveal the relevance of certain brain structures or neuronal activity patterns for a given brain function. It is nowadays feasible to combine NTBS, either consecutively or concurrently, with a variety of neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques. Here we discuss what kind of information can be gained from combined approaches, which often are technically demanding. We argue that the benefit from this combination is twofold. Firstly, neuroimaging and electrophysiology can inform subsequent NTBS, providing the required information to optimize where, when, and how to stimulate the brain. Information can be achieved both before and during the NTBS experiment, requiring consecutive and concurrent applications, respectively. Secondly, neuroimaging and electrophysiology can provide the readout for neural changes induced by NTBS. Again, using either concurrent or consecutive applications, both “online” NTBS effects immediately following the stimulation and “offline” NTBS effects outlasting plasticity-inducing NTBS protocols can be assessed. Finally, both strategies can be combined to close the loop between measuring and modulating brain activity by means of closed-loop brain state-dependent NTBS. In this paper, we will provide a conceptual framework, emphasizing principal strategies and highlighting promising future directions to exploit the benefits of combining NTBS with neuroimaging or electrophysiology.
Highlights
Non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation (NTBS) plays a pivotal role in human systems and cognitive neuroscience as it can reveal the relevance of certain brain structures or neuronal activity patterns for a given cognitive or motor function, especially when used in conjunction with neuroimaging and electrophysiology
“Offline” brain mapping is performed after a plasticity-inducing NTBS protocol to capture neuromodulatory after-effects that outlast NTBS for minutes to hours
The random application of NTBS precludes the possibility to repetitively and exclusively target a specific brain state. This option is required if the aim is to systematically address the state-dependency of offline NTBS effects, for instance the impact of alpha power or phase expressed at the time of NTBS on the ability of NTBS to induce long-term potentiation (LTP)- and longterm depression (LTD)-like plasticity
Summary
Combining non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation with neuroimaging and electrophysiology: Current approaches and future perspectives. Neuroimaging and electrophysiology can inform subsequent NTBS, providing the required information to optimize where, when, and how to stimulate the brain. Using either concurrent or consecutive applications, both “online” NTBS effects immediately following the stimulation and “offline” NTBS effects outlasting plasticity-inducing NTBS protocols can be assessed. Both strategies can be combined to close the loop between measuring and modulating brain activity by means of closed-loop brain state-dependent NTBS. We will provide a conceptual framework, emphasizing principal strategies and highlighting promising future directions to exploit the benefits of combining NTBS with neuroimaging or electrophysiology
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