Evaluating an Approach to Improving Attention Networks by Theta Stimulation

Pascale Voelker ,Cristopher M Niell ,Aldis P Weible ,Dale T Tovar ,Mary K Rothbart ,Robert S Chavez ,Michael I Posner

doi:10.33696/rehabilitation.3.016

Abstract

There has been wide interest in the role of neuromodulation in improving cognitive performance of persons who have suffered deficits due to disorders or in persons seeking to improve baseline performance.

Highlights

In this paper we consider the hypothesis, based on our human and mouse studies, that white matter connectivity can be altered by appropriate stimulation at the theta frequency [1,2]
In one study we used optogenetics to change the output of cells in the mouse anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) at 1, 8 or 40Hz
The study showed a greater theta amplitude increase in the ACC following targeting that structure than when targeting a control area, the primary motor cortex (PMC)

Summary

Introduction

In this paper we consider the hypothesis, based on our human and mouse studies, that white matter connectivity can be altered by appropriate stimulation at the theta frequency [1,2]. We tested whether we could improve intrinsic theta in the human brain. The largest increase in intrinsic theta in the ACC was found when targeting the ACC with 6 Hz stimulation while the participant performed the ANT [4]. The study showed a greater theta amplitude increase in the ACC following targeting that structure than when targeting a control area, the primary motor cortex (PMC). When targeting the PMC, intrinsic theta was enhanced more in the PMC than in the ACC., These results confirm some specificity of target location when stimulating by scalp electrodes

Methods

Results

Conclusion