New Perspective for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Site Selection in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Based on Meta- and Functional Connectivity Analyses.

Jiao Liu,Georgia Wilson,Jian Kong,Binlong Zhang

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00228

Jiao Liu, Georgia Wilson + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00228

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Abstract

BackgroundNon-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been widely used to treat mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, there exists no consensus on the best stimulation sites.ObjectiveTo explore potential stimulation locations for NIBS treatment in patients with MCI, combining meta- and resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) analyses.MethodsThe meta-analysis was conducted to identify brain regions associated with MCI. Regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted based on this meta-analysis. The rsFC analysis was applied to 45 MCI patients to determine brain surface regions that are functionally connected with the above ROIs.ResultsWe found that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) were the overlapping brain regions between our results and those of previous studies. In addition, we recommend that the temporoparietal junction (including the angular gyrus), which was found in both the meta- and rsFC analysis, should be considered in NIBS treatment of MCI. Furthermore, the bilateral orbital prefrontal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, medial superior frontal gyrus, and right inferior occipital gyrus may be potential brain stimulation sites for NIBS treatment of MCI.ConclusionOur results provide several potential sites for NIBS, such as the DLFPC and IFG, and may shed light on the locations of NIBS sites in the treatment of patients with MCI.

Highlights

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as subjective memory impairment without dementia or loss of function (Bruscoli and Lovestone, 2004)
A total of 67 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and 20 clusters had a size greater than 30 continuous voxels
With the BrainNet viewing software, we visually determined that the left orbital inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (F7) and left angular gyrus (P3) are proximal to the brain surface and can thereby serve as brain stimulation sites directly (Figures 1B,C, Table 2, and Supplementary Figure S1A)

Summary

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as subjective memory impairment without dementia or loss of function (Bruscoli and Lovestone, 2004). With the aid of cutting edge brain-imaging tools, investigators have found that many brain regions and networks are involved in the pathology of MCI (Cai et al, 2017; Melrose et al, 2018). These findings provide a basis for exploring new stimulation locations for NIBS. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been widely used to treat mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There exists no consensus on the best stimulation sites

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