We thank Ilona Pfahlert and Britta Perl for technical assistance during functional imaging experiments and Severin Heum&#252;ller for excellent computer support. This work was supported by the Herman and Lilly Schilling Foundation and the Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB).

Conduct all experiments in accordance with institutional ethics committee guidelines. For all studies mentioned in this manuscript, all procedures were performed according to the declaration of Helsinki and approved by the local Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center G&#246;ttingen.
1. Stimulation and Computer Setup Prior to Experiment
<ol>
	<li>Stimulator setup 
	NOTE: The stimulator used for this fMRI experiment is a specially designed magnetic resonance (MR)-compatible system equipped with an MR-safe inner filter box, an outer filter box, safety resistors, coupled cables, and MR-safe materials. Some instructions pertain specifically to the manufacturer&#39;s directions, and these may vary when using another stimulator, so take care to follow equipment instructions provided by the manufacturer that may constitute exceptions to this setup. Figure 1A shows the stimulator components used in this experimental setup.
	<ol>
		<li>Navigate through the menu of the stimulator to program the desired experimental parameters (refer to user&#39;s manual for details). For example, for a stimulation frequency of 10 Hz, program 10 cycles for ramp-up/down time of 1 s, 300 sinusoidal cycles for 30 s of stimulation, current strength equal to 1,000 &#181;A, and repetitive trigger mode, as conducted for our experiments unless otherwise noted. Save the program to load for each time the experiment is run thereafter.</li>
		<li>Connect the stimulus presentation computer trigger output to the stimulator using a BNC cable.</li>
		<li>Place a nonmagnetic, shielded local area network (LAN) cable through the radio frequency (RF) waveguide tube from the inside of the scanner room. To avoid resonant capacitive coupling, ensure that the cable is free from loops and placed along the wall of the room, leading to the rear of the magnet bore and along the right-side scanner bed railing inside the bore, leading to the position of the inner filter box (see Figure 1C and safety note in Step 2.4 regarding cable position). Secure the cable with tape placed intermittently along the length of it.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Load the visual stimulus program on a designated presentation computer that is separate from the scanner control computer. As depicted in Figure 1C, connect the presentation computer to the scanner trigger output via an optical-to-electrical converter and to an output device (i.e., projector) that is placed in a shielded case or outside the magnet room. Use nonmagnetic mirrors to direct the projection onto a screen inside the scanner bore.</li>
</ol>
2. Subject Arrival and Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Pre-screen recruited subjects for any contraindications for MR scanning (e.g., no metal implants, no claustrophobia, experiment-specific subject prerequisites) as well as for tACS (e.g., history of seizures, chronic headaches, pregnancy)26,27.</li>
	<li>When the subject arrives, instruct the subject about the fMRI experiment details and describe the experience to expect (e.g., visual stimulus, tingling or phosphenes from tACS, special task instructions).</li>
	<li>Place electrodes according to the 10-20 EEG system and stimulator preparation.
	<ol>
		<li>Using a tape measure, measure the distance on the subject&#39;s head from the nasion to the inion, and from ear-to-ear, over the top of the head. The intersection of both lengths gives the position on the head for Cz, according to the 10-20 EEG system. Mark the spot for Cz on the scalp using a marker.</li>
		<li>Place an EEG cap without electrodes on the subject&#39;s head, with Cz aligned to the mark on the subject&#39;s scalp, determine the desired location of the electrodes and mark them. 
		NOTE: It is important that all experimenters use the same placement system to ensure consistency through all experiments; the 10-20 EEG system, which is commonly used in transcranial stimulation experiments, has specific guidelines to maintain accurate electrode placement26,28.</li>
		<li>Using alcohol and cotton pads, clean the hair and skin on and around the marked spots on the subject&#39;s scalp; remove oils and hair products.</li>
		<li>Spread some gel on the rubber electrodes and press each electrode firmly on the marked and cleaned locations on the subject&#39;s scalp, ensuring full contact from electrode to conductive gel to the scalp with minimal impedance.</li>
		<li>Using a spare shielded LAN cable, connect the filter boxes and MR-safe cables to the stimulator and to the rubber electrodes as depicted in Figure 1A.</li>
		<li>Turn on the stimulator and test the impedance (refer to user&#39;s manual for details). If the impedance is not below 20 k&#937;, press the electrodes on the scalp or add electrode gel as necessary until this impedance guideline is met.</li>
		<li>When the impedance is below 20 k&#937;, allow the stimulator to output current for a few seconds to familiarize the subject with the sensory experience. Ask the subject about sensory perception during this test, including whether tingling sensation exists and can be withstood, and extent or location of phosphenes during stimulation.</li>
		<li>At this point, the subject is prepared to move to the scanner bed. Leaving the electrode cable plugged into the rubber electrodes on the subject, disconnect the stimulator, the spare LAN cable, and the outer and inner filter boxes.</li>
		<li>Connect the outer filter box to the LAN cable that runs through the waveguide to the MR scanner, leaving as little exposed LAN cable outside of the waveguide as possible (see Figure 1B). Connect the stimulator to the outer filter box using the stimulator cable and double-check that the stimulator is connected to the presentation computer trigger output.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Prepare the subject inside the MR scanner. 
	NOTE: Figure 1C shows the full tACS-fMRI setup during the experiment. It is critical to arrange the cables and inner filter box as specified, with the electrode cable arranged at an approximately 90&#176; angle to the plane of the scanner bed and the inner filter box resting on the scanner bed railing on the right side of the scanner bore. Neglecting to do so can damage the safety circuit of the electrode cable; this configuration applies for both open and closed RF coils.
	<ol>
		<li>After ensuring that the subject is free of magnetic materials and ready for the MRI experiment, lead the subject into the scanner room.</li>
		<li>Give ear plugs for hearing protection to the subject, and instruct the subject to lie on the scanner bed, placing pillows around and under the head and under the legs for comfort and to reduce movement. When placing the pillows behind the subject&#39;s head, pay special attention to lay the electrode cable flat and in a position that is comfortable for the subject to lie on for the duration of the experiment.</li>
		<li>Give the alarm ball and MR-safe response button box to the subject to hold such that minimal movement is required to push a button to respond in the experiment.</li>
		<li>Secure the RF head coil over the subject&#39;s head with a mirror attached such that the subject can see the projection screen reflected in the correct orientation.</li>
		<li>Temporarily secure the free end of the electrode cable coming from the rubber electrodes to a place in the head coil such that it does not catch when the bed is moving. Figure 1D shows the subject&#39;s head positioned in the head coil with pillows, mirror, and tACS cable in place before moving the bed to the center head coil for imaging. The filter box is also shown placed on the scanner bed railing, as an example of where it must sit relative to the head coil when the scanner bed is in measurement position.</li>
		<li>Move the scanner bed into measurement position. From the back end of the scanner bore, connect the electrode cable from the rubber electrodes to the inner filter box that connects to the LAN cable, as depicted in Figure 1C. To prevent excess motion during scanning, secure the cables and filter box along the scanner bed railing to the right of the bore with tape and sand bags. Place projector screen into the rear end of the scanner bore.</li>
		<li>Test the impedance on the stimulator once more to ensure that all connections between cables, filter boxes, and the stimulator are made properly.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. MR Scanning and Experiment
<ol>
	<li>Before the scan begins, test that the presentation computer registers when the subject pushes response buttons.</li>
	<li>Acquire high-resolution T1-weighted anatomical data (e.g., three-dimensional turbo fast low angle shot, echo time (TE): 3.26 ms, repetition time (TR): 2,250 ms, inversion time: 900 ms, flip angle 9&#176;, isotropic resolution of 1 x 1 x 1 mm3).
	<ol>
		<li>After the acquisition, adjust contrast and windowing on the anatomical MRI to low and high extremes to visually detect noise during scanning that may result from the stimulator setup. Continue this visual monitoring of noise concurrently with functional image acquisition.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Start the experiment on the presentation computer, ready to begin with the scanner trigger, and start the stimulator to wait for the presentation computer output trigger. Leave the stimulator on and connected throughout the fMRI experiment to avoid differences in the temporal signal-to-noise ratio (tSNR) between stimulator on and off conditions22.</li>
	<li>Start the fMRI scan (e.g., two-dimensional T2*-weighted gradient-echo echo-planar imaging; TE: 30 ms, TR: 2,000 ms, flip angle 70&#176;, 33 slices of 3-mm thickness, no gap between slices at an in-plane resolution of 3 x 3 mm2, 210 volumes for seven minutes of scanning), which triggers the start of the experiment on the presentation computer. Monitor the stimulator display to guarantee that current is sent at desired times throughout the experimental runs.</li>
</ol>
4. Experiment Conclusion
<ol>
	<li>After the experiment has run and scanning is finished, unplug the inner filter box from the cable connected to the rubber electrodes before moving the scanner bed, remove the subject from the scanner, and remove the electrodes, leaving the subject free to wash their hair.</li>
	<li>Turn off the stimulator, and plug it in to recharge. Clean the rubber electrodes with water for their next use.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Here, we have described the procedure for a simultaneous tACS-fMRI experiment setup and execution using an MR-compatible tACS system. Some steps in this procedure require special attention, especially with respect to the subject setup. The MR-compatible stimulator and setup used in this experiment has a minimum impedance of approximately 12 k&#937; with the cables, filter boxes, and electrodes only, and the manufacturer recommends 20 k&#937; minimum impedance with electrodes connected to the subject; this requirement depends on stimulator product and manufacturer. When applying electrodes to the subject, if the impedance is too high, some steps can be taken to reduce this value aside from pressing the electrodes. For example, it may be easier to first cover the marked and cleaned locations on the scalp with electrode gel, including the hair, before pressing the electrode onto the scalp. This will ensure current spread across the non-conductive material; however, be careful to limit electrode gel coverage to approximately the same surface area as the electrodes to direct current spread to the desired region of stimulation. Pay particular attention to this if the electrodes are close together, because current shunting between the electrodes may occur through excess electrode gel contact. If the electrode is on the back of the head where the subject will be laying directly on it, special care must be taken to place pillows behind the head such that the subject will not grow uncomfortable as the experiment continues; this discomfort may not be a problem initially for the subject, however experience shows that pain arises and increases with time. Additionally, as with all fMRI experiments, subject motion introduces problematic confounds, so it is important that the subject is comfortable with all the cables and electrodes in place.
The most important aspect of the setup to consider is the noise potentially introduced into the MR environment that can induce image artifacts and distortions. Prior to the experiment, it is prudent to test for image artifacts with the whole tACS setup in place. A normal spherical phantom can be used, securing electrodes with electrode gel. It is important to provide some way for the current to travel between electrodes, which can be accomplished by applying a generous amount of electrode gel in a path from one electrode to the other. Run the entire experiment, as planned for the subject, including parameter variations such as frequency and current. During the scanning session, adjusting contrast and windowing to extremes in the image viewer on the MR scanner control computer allows easier visual detection of noise. When visually monitoring for noise before and during the experiment, noise may occur as spikes in the image with high intensity, patterns where signal should not be measured, or varying intensity over time, as examples. Acquiring fMRI data with the RF excitation pulse turned off gives information about scanner environment noise during scanning without acquiring the actual image signal (see Figure 2). This noise test can be done in every scanning session. If there are variations in the noise, check that all cables are intact and well connected to the stimulator, electrodes, and filter boxes. No cables should sit in loops. Noise or distortion can arise from broken cables, electrodes with metal contaminants in the rubber (despite being sold as MR-compatible), and faulty connections, among other possibilities. The stimulator is battery-driven to minimize electrical noise in the setup; ensure that it is fully charged before every experiment and that it stays on and connected throughout the experiment. TSNR in functional images will decrease around 5% with the stimulator connected, however, values should be stable across stimulation conditions22. Simultaneous transcranial electrical stimulation-fMRI tests on cadavers have shown that there are no artifacts associated with alternating current stimulation, which is an advantage compared to direct current stimulation30. Theoretically, this lack of artifacts can be explained by a net current of zero at the time the image is acquired30. However, for some of the experiments conducted in our lab, the acquisition time or TR is not a multiple of the stimulation frequency. After conducting the noise tests mentioned in this protocol and examining images for artifacts, which were not visible, we concluded that any difference in net current from zero is small and too negligible to induce artifacts.
Another critical point for successful experiments is that the presentation computer receives the trigger output of the scanner and that the stimulator receives the trigger from the presentation computer. Prior to the experiment, program the visual stimulus design and timing using the desired software. This program must use triggers to synchronize the visual stimulus presentation with the MR scanner and the stimulator; it initiates with a trigger that is output from the MR scanner and also sends output triggers to the stimulator at desired stimulation times. An easy way to check trigger communication during setup is to use an oscilloscope attached with a BNC cable to the scanner trigger output as well as the presentation computer output. In our setup, the MR scanner outputs a trigger (toggle) for every functional volume acquired, and the presentation computer outputs a signal as programmed through the presentation software. The analysis of a well-designed experiment rests critically on properly timed stimulation.
Some steps of this experiment may be adapted as necessary for the laboratory setting requirements. For example, this setup describes using a projector and mirrors for visual stimulus presentation, however the visual stimulus output device can be MR-safe liquid-crystal-display goggles or an MR-safe monitor, chosen based on experiment and lab preferences or limitations. Also, MRI scan parameters should be tailored to the experiment. It is worthwhile to note that attention should be given to the appropriate choice of experimental control for tACS, although a straightforward answer does not exist. A short sham stimulation of 30 seconds can mimic the somatosensation induced by tACS that diminishes eventually with prolonged stimulation; however, some studies show that even short periods of stimulation can induce oscillatory entrainment12. Another possible control that can be used for tACS is to stimulate using a non-effective frequency, or, in other words, a different frequency from the one of interest. The exception here would be that somatosensation and phosphene perception vary according to stimulation frequency31. Finally, regarding subjective experiences of stimulation, tACS-induced phosphenes vary across individuals, so in order to best capture subject variability, consider using a detailed rating system for phosphene perception, and spend some time with the subject describing the various features of phosphenes (e.g., location, intensity) that can arise so that the subject can attentively evaluate his or her experience during stimulation32,33.
The representative results shown here suggest that tACS effects are current dependent, frequency dependent, and that modulation is not limited to the regions below the electrodes, but extends to distant, likely functionally connected regions. One limitation of this technique is the temporal resolution of fMRI as well as of the BOLD response. The data acquisition and the hemodynamic response are not as fast as the stimulation frequency or electrical activity of the brain, so direct interactions with frequency-specific effects of tACS cannot be measured. However, given that the greatest share of scientific literature of tACS effects is of behavioral studies, and that tACS obviously affects a whole, complicated neural system, it is clear that simultaneous tACS-fMRI experiments have much to offer for informing us about tACS effects in the brain. EEG and MEG offer insights on the level of temporal resolutions that match those of neural activity. However, EEG and MEG suffer from spatial resolution and cortical depth limitations or computationally intensive source-reconstruction techniques. Stimulation frequency and harmonic artifacts overriding brain signals of interest recorded at the same frequencies further complicate EEG and MEG analyses. Innovative workarounds have been applied to tackle some of these challenges. Helfrich et al. employed a novel technique to remove the tACS artifact from EEG data using an artifact template subtraction and principle component analysis15. They showed that 10 Hz tACS applied parieto-occipitally increases alpha activity in the parietal and occipital cortices and induces synchrony in cortical oscillators functioning at similar intrinsic frequencies. Witkowski and colleagues applied amplitude-modulated tACS and successfully created MEG-based cortical maps of entrained brain oscillations34. With the goal of applying tACS in research for better understanding normal and abnormal brain function, and eventually clinically for diagnostics or therapeutics, tACS should be separately combined with EEG, MEG, and fMRI to complementarily establish best practices for specific desired effects that can be tailored specifically to individuals. When such practices are established, effective investigations can be carried out to better understand the function of neural oscillations (e.g., clearly defining functional roles and relationships of different frequency bands) and their modulation with tACS (e.g., whether the mechanism occurs through entrainment or plastic changes35).
Considering future directions, the setup described here is tailored for fMRI experiments studying perception or cognition, as the structure-from-motion study described here and others have demonstrated. Cabral-Calderin and colleagues showed that activation in regions of the occipital cortex was dependent upon task and tACS frequency in a video-watching versus finger-tapping experiment22. In a simultaneous tACS-resting-state fMRI study, Cabral-Calderin and colleagues showed frequency-dependent effects of tACS on intrinsic functional connectivity and resting state networks23. Vosskuhl et al. combined tACS and fMRI to show BOLD decrease during a visual vigilance task at individual alpha frequency stimulation24. Alekseichuk and colleagues showed that immediate aftereffects of 10 Hz tACS modulate the BOLD signal during a visual perception of checkered rings and wedges, indicating a change in the neural metabolism of a passive perception task36. These studies set the stage for simultaneous tACS-fMRI studies to probe functional mechanisms on many levels, from metabolism to cognition. At such an early stage in the use of tACS for translational research, there is much potential for simultaneous tACS-fMRI experiments to add to the understanding of both the stimulation technique and the contribution of oscillations to cognitive functions.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique with promise for investigating neural oscillations and frequency-specific brain functions in healthy individuals as well as to study and modulate oscillations in clinical populations1. Using two or more conductive electrodes placed on the scalp, low current (1-2 mA peak-to-peak) sinusoidal waves are applied to the brain at a desired frequency to interact with ongoing neural oscillations. 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 perception5,6,7. Applying alternating current in a noninvasive manner has also resulted in functional improvement in neurological patients, such as tremor reduction in Parkinson&#39;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.
Simulations and animal studies can provide insight into the effects of alternating current stimulation at the cellular or neural network level under controlled conditions11,12, but given the state-dependence of effective stimulation techniques13,14, such studies do not reveal the whole picture. Combining tACS with neuroimaging techniques like electroencephalography (EEG)15,16,17, magnetoencephalography (MEG)18,19,20, or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)21,22,23,24 can inform about systems-level modulation of brain function. However, each combination comes with technological challenges, mainly due to stimulation-induced artifacts in the measurement of frequencies of interest15. Although the temporal resolution of fMRI cannot match EEG or MEG measurements, its spatial coverage and resolution in cortical and subcortical brain regions is superior.
Recently, in a combined tACS-fMRI study, we showed that effects of tACS on the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal measured with fMRI are both frequency and task specific, and that the stimulation does not necessarily exert its greatest effect directly underneath the electrodes, but in regions more distant from the electrodes22. In a following study, we investigated the effect of tACS electrode position and frequency on network function using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations and resting-state functional connectivity, including using correlation seeds of the most directly stimulated regions, as derived from subject-based current density simulations. Most notably in this study, alpha (10 Hz) and gamma (40 Hz) stimulation often elicited opposite effects in network connectivity or on regional modulation23. Additionally, the resting-state network that was most affected was the left fronto-parietal control network. These studies highlight the potential for using fMRI to determine optimal parameters for effective, controlled stimulation. Also, they contribute to evidence that, aside from controlled parameters, such as task condition and timing, stimulation frequency, and electrode positions, there are subject-specific factors that influence the success of tACS. Examples of subject characteristics that translate as uncontrollable variables in optimizing stimulation parameters are intrinsic functional connectivity, endogenous oscillation peak frequency (e.g., individual alpha frequency), and skull and skin thickness25. Considering the current body of literature pertaining to tACS, more studies combining tACS with neural measurements such as neuroimaging are required to establish comprehensive procedures for effective brain stimulation techniques.
Herein, we describe a safe and reliable setup for experiments applying tACS simultaneously with fMRI of a visual task, with focus on aspects of the setup and execution that yield successfully synchronized tACS with artifact-free acquisition of fMRI data.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>None</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DC-Stimulator MR</td>
			<td>NeuroConn, Ilmenau, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>includes: inner filter box, outer filter box, MR-safe electrode and stimulator cables (1 each), stimulator, 2 surface electrodes, and one shielded LAN cable; NOTE: This manuscript describes tACS-fMRI setup with NeuroConn&#39;s MR-safe stimulator, but such a stimulator from another manufacturer would be acceptable, with adaptations made based on manufacturer specifications.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3 tesla Tim Trio MR scanner</td>
			<td>Siemens, Erlangen, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>presentation computer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>presentation software (e.g., Matlab)</td>
			<td>The Mathworks, Natick, USA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>shielded LAN cable</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>projector</td>
			<td>InFocus Corporation, Wilsonville, USA</td>
			<td>IN-5108</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ten20 Electrode Paste</td>
			<td>Weaver and Co., Aurora, USA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EEG cap - EASYCAP 32-channel system</td>
			<td>Brain Products GmbH, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tape measure</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>marker</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pillows</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>button response box</td>
			<td>Current Designs, Philadelphia, USA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>isopropyl alcohol</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cotton pads</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tape</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MR-safe sand bags</td>
			<td>Siemens, Erlangen, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MR-safe mirrors</td>
			<td>Siemens, Erlangen, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MR-safe screen</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>can be built in local machine shop to fit site-specific parameters</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>E-A-Rsoft ear plugs</td>
			<td>3M, Bracknell, UK</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

simultaneous transcranial alternating current stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging

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.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 show representative images acquired for equipment noise tests in a phantom and in a human subject, respectively. In every row, Figure 2 and Figure 3 show representative axial slices from an acquired volume or calculated map, labeled accordingly above the row. The rightmost image on each row is a sagittal representation of the corresponding volume or calculated map, indicating axial slice locations with blue lines. Aside from the first row, which illustrates electrode placement in white, the volume is overlaid on a T1-weighted image in each figure. Notice that there is no distortion or signal dropout from the electrodes in the T1-weighted images. The second row of Figure 2 shows representative functional MRI data acquired with the tACS setup in place and turned on. In the phantom in Figure 2, notice there is some signal dropout and distortion due to the electrodes, however, row 2 of Figure 3 shows that these distortions do not extend beyond the scalp in a subject. Rows three and four of Figure 2 show noise measurements in the volume, which are acquired using the same parameters as the fMRI data, but without an RF excitation pulse. The images show the noise level in the scanner room and of the MR hardware during the scan. Row three is a noise measurement with tACS off, and row four is one with tACS on. In the fifth and sixth row of Figure 2 are tSNR maps for functional runs with the tACS setup and the stimulator off and on, respectively. TSNR maps calculated from data acquired in the human subject appear in Figure 3 rows three, with tACS off, and four, with tACS on. Notice there is no visible difference in intensity when comparing between stimulation conditions. As we demonstrated in a previous study, the tACS equipment produces around 5% drop in tSNR in images compared to those acquired without the tACS setup, however the tSNR should remain stable across stimulation on and off conditions22.
Figure 4 represents a series of images that demonstrates signal dropout that can occur when non-MR-compatible electrodes are used. Slices from an fMRI volume acquired of a subject with electrodes that may have some metal contaminations show signal dropout below the electrode placed roughly over primary motor cortex, as indicated with red circles.
Figure 5 shows results of an experiment testing the effects of current strength of 16 Hz Cz-Oz tACS on the BOLD signal in subjects whose only task is central cross fixation. Throughout the experiment, 12-second periods of tACS were interleaved with non-stimulation periods varying from 24 - 32 seconds. In a pseudorandomized order, tACS was applied with a different current strength (500 &#181;A, 750 &#181;A, 1,000 &#181;A, 1,500 &#181;A) in each of four runs. Figure 5A shows event-related averages of the BOLD signal for statistically significant clusters, with increasing effect on the BOLD signal with increased current strength. Additionally, Figure 5B shows current-strength specific T-score maps illustrating regional specificity of effects as well as increasing spatial effect with increased current strength. It is also worthwhile to note that BOLD activity in frontal regions was changed significantly, showing that modulations were not always directly below the electrodes. For details, refer to Cabral-Calderin and colleagues22.
Figure 6 shows representative results of an experiment testing the frequency dependence of tACS effects during a visual perception task. Subjects reported the perceived direction of a bistable rotating sphere. At the same time, tACS was applied with electrodes placed at Cz and Oz at one of three stimulation frequencies (10 Hz, 60 Hz, or 80 Hz) in each of three separate sessions. Figure 6A illustrates the experiment timing with visual presentation and tACS periods between blocks of central cross fixation. TACS condition and frequency effect interaction maps and cluster post-hoc tests show frequency-specific effects in the parietal cortex, with 10 Hz tACS decreasing and 60 Hz increasing signal (Figure 6B). Figure 6C shows T-score maps of specific effects of 60 Hz tACS extending beyond the parietal cortex to include some occipital and frontal regions. For experiment and analysis details, refer to Cabral-Calderin, et al.22.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: TACS Setup in the Scanner. (A) TACS Setup with all Necessary Elements. The stimulator and cables are connected outside of the MR shielded room. Also shown are the EEG cap, tape measure, and conductive gel used for electrode placement. (B) Outer Filter Box and Stimulator Placed Outside the Scanner Room. The LAN cable (not visible in the figure) comes from the scanner room through the RF waveguide tube and connects to the outer filter box, with as little LAN cable exposed outside of the scanner room as possible. The stimulator should be connected to the outer filter box as well as to the presentation computer trigger output cable. (C) Scanner Environment with Experimental Setup. Depiction of tACS setup, including presentation computer, scanner computer and trigger output, and projector. (D) Subject Positioning for Experiment. Important elements include pillows, cable placement, viewing mirror, and head coil. Filter box is placed on scanner bed railing as an example of placement inside the bore. <a href="https://cloudflare-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig2.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Quality Assessment MR Images Acquired of a Phantom. Row 1: High-resolution anatomical T1-weighted image axial slices with their positions indicated by blue lines on a sagittal slice to the right (also seen in each following row). On the sagittal plane, electrode positions are illustrated in white. Row 2: T2*-weighted echo-planar image slices, with magenta arrows indicating signal dropout and distortion due to electrodes and/or electrode gel. On the sagittal plane, the positioning of the corresponding volume is shown as an overlay (also seen in each following row). Row 3: Noise image slices acquired with fMRI experimental parameters and no RF excitation pulse while the tACS setup is in place and turned on, but not stimulating. Row 4: No-RF-excitation image acquired with tACS setup in place and stimulator on and stimulating at 16 Hz. Row 5: TSNR map calculated from data acquired with the tACS setup in place and turned on, but not stimulating. Row 6: TSNR map calculated from data acquired with the tACS setup in place and stimulating at 16 Hz. <a href="https://cloudflare-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig3.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Quality Assessment MR Images Acquired of a Subject. Row 1: High-resolution anatomical image axial slices with their positions indicated by blue lines on a sagittal slice to the right (as seen in each row). Electrode positions are illustrated in white on the sagittal view. Row 2: T2*-weighted echo-planar image slices showing no signal dropout due to electrodes and/ or electrode gel. On the sagittal plane, the positioning of the corresponding volume is shown as an overlay (also seen in each following row). Row 3: TSNR map calculated from data acquired with the tACS setup in place and turned on, but not stimulating. Row 4: TSNR map calculated from data acquired with the tACS setup in place and stimulating at 16 Hz.&#160; <a href="https://cloudflare-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig3large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig4.jpg" /> 
Figure 4: Signal Dropout Due to a Contaminated Electrode. Slices from an fMRI volume acquired of a subject using a contaminated electrode placed roughly over the hand knob of the motor cortex. Red circles indicate regions below the electrode with signal dropout. <a href="https://cloudflare-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig4large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 5" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig5.jpg" /> 
Figure 5: Effect of Current Strength on tACS Modulation of the BOLD Signal. (A) F-score Maps Showing the Main Effect of Current Strength on the Effect of 16 Hz tACS. A significant main effect of current strength in a one-way rANOVA [within factor: current strength (500, 750, 1,000, 1,500 &#181;A)] is apparent. The plots show the event-related average time course of the BOLD signal for the tACS-on periods for each current strength. Shaded regions indicate standard error of the mean across subjects. MedialFG = medial frontal gyrus, IPS = intraparietal sulcus, IFG = inferior frontal gyrus, PrC = precentral gyrus, L = left, R = right, *cluster not corrected for multiple comparisons. (B) T-score Maps Showing BOLD Activity Changes during 16 Hz tACS for Each Current Strength. No significant effect was found with 500 &#181;A tACS. LH = left hemisphere; RH = right hemisphere. This picture has been modified from Cabral-Calderin et al.29. <a href="https://cloudflare-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 6" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig6.jpg" /> 
Figure 6: Effect of tACS on the BOLD Signal in a Visual Perception Task. (A) Schematic Representation of the Experiment. Visual stimulus and tACS were applied in a block design, with 30 s on-off tACS blocks occurring during 120 sec blocks of visual stimulus presentation. Each frequency was tested in a different session. SfM = structure-from-motion. (B) TACS Condition and Frequency Interaction Effect. F-statistic maps showing significance in two-way rANOVA [within factors: tACS (on, off), frequency (10 Hz, 60 Hz, 80 Hz)] and beta estimates for two representative clusters in the post-central gyrus. Continuous lines and black asterisks mark significant differences for post-hoc comparisons for tACS on-off interaction effects of 10 Hz versus 60 Hz and 10 Hz versus 80 Hz, and red asterisks imply a significant difference for tACS on versus off post-hoc tests. PoC = postcentral gyrus, IPS = intraparietal sulcus. (C)T-score Map of 60 Hz tACS. Significant differences comparing 60 Hz tACS on versus off. This picture has been reprinted from Cabral-Calderin et al.29. <a href="https://cloudflare-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/55866/55866fig6large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging at JoVE.com

Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising tool for noninvasive investigation of brain oscillations, though its effects are not completely understood. This article describes a safe and reliable setup for applying tACS simultaneously with functional magnetic resonance imaging, which can increase understanding oscillatory brain function and effects of tACS.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising tool for noninvasive investigation of brain oscillations. TACS employs ...

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13.8K Views.  University Medicine Goettingen. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising tool for noninvasive investigation of brain oscillations, though its effects are not completely understood. This article describes a safe and reliable setup for applying tACS simultaneously with functional magnetic resonance imaging, which can increase understanding oscillatory brain function and effects of tACS.

Video: Simultaneous Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with Auditory Stimulation in Songbirds

The neurobiology of birdsong, as a model for human speech, is a pronounced area of research in behavioral neuroscience. Whereas electrophysiology and molecular approaches allow the investigation of either different stimuli on few neurons, or one stimulus in large parts of the brain, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) allows combining both advantages, i.e. compare the neural activation induced by different stimuli in the entire brain at once. fMRI in songbirds is challenging because of the small size of their brains and because their bones and especially their skull comprise numerous air cavities, inducing important susceptibility artifacts. Gradient-echo (GE) BOLD fMRI has been successfully applied to songbirds 1-5 (for a review, see 6). These studies focused on the primary and secondary auditory brain areas, which are regions free of susceptibility artifacts. However, because processes of interest may occur beyond these regions, whole brain BOLD fMRI is required using an MRI sequence less susceptible to these artifacts. This can be achieved by using spin-echo (SE) BOLD fMRI 7,8 . In this article, we describe how to use this technique in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), which are small songbirds with a bodyweight of 15-25 g extensively studied in behavioral neurosciences of birdsong. The main topic of fMRI studies on songbirds is song perception and song learning. The auditory nature of the stimuli combined with the weak BOLD sensitivity of SE (compared to GE) based fMRI sequences makes the implementation of this technique very challenging.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging fMRI with Auditory Stimulation in Songbirds

This article shows an optimized procedure for imaging of the neural substrates of auditory stimulation in the songbird brain using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). It describes the preparation of the sound stimuli, the positioning of the subject and the acquisition and subsequent analysis of the fMRI data.

The neurobiology of birdsong, as a model for human speech, is a pronounced area of research in behavioral neuroscience. Whereas electrophysiology and ...

Best Current Practice for Obtaining High Quality EEG Data During Simultaneous fMRI

Simultaneous EEG-fMRI allows the excellent temporal resolution of EEG to be combined with the high spatial accuracy of fMRI. The data from these two modalities can be combined in a number of ways, but all rely on the acquisition of high quality EEG and fMRI data. EEG data acquired during simultaneous fMRI are affected by several artifacts, including the gradient artefact (due to the changing magnetic field gradients required for fMRI), the pulse artefact (linked to the cardiac cycle) and movement artifacts (resulting from movements in the strong magnetic field of the scanner, and muscle activity). Post-processing methods for successfully correcting the gradient and pulse artifacts require a number of criteria to be satisfied during data acquisition. Minimizing head motion during EEG-fMRI is also imperative for limiting the generation of artifacts.
Interactions between the radio frequency (RF) pulses required for MRI and the EEG hardware may occur and can cause heating. This is only a significant risk if safety guidelines are not satisfied. Hardware design and set-up, as well as careful selection of which MR sequences are run with the EEG hardware present must therefore be considered.
The above issues highlight the importance of the choice of the experimental protocol employed when performing a simultaneous EEG-fMRI experiment. Based on previous research we describe an optimal experimental set-up. This provides high quality EEG data during simultaneous fMRI when using commercial EEG and fMRI systems, with safety risks to the subject minimized. We demonstrate this set-up in an EEG-fMRI experiment using a simple visual stimulus. However, much more complex stimuli can be used. Here we show the EEG-fMRI set-up using a Brain Products GmbH (Gilching, Germany) MRplus, 32 channel EEG system in conjunction with a Philips Achieva (Best, Netherlands) 3T MR scanner, although many of the techniques are transferable to other systems.

Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Magnetic Resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful neuroimaging tool. However, the inside of an MRI scanner forms a difficult environment for EEG data recording and safety must be considered whenever operating EEG equipment inside a scanner. Here, we present an optimised EEG-fMRI data acquisition protocol.

Simultaneous  EEG-fMRI allows the excellent temporal resolution of EEG to be combined with the  high spatial accuracy of fMRI. The data  from these two ...

Simultaneous EEG Monitoring During Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique that delivers weak electric currents through the scalp. This constant electric current induces shifts in neuronal membrane excitability, resulting in secondary changes in cortical activity. Although tDCS has most of its neuromodulatory effects on the underlying cortex, tDCS effects can also be observed in distant neural networks. Therefore, concomitant EEG monitoring of the effects of tDCS can provide valuable information on the mechanisms of tDCS. In addition, EEG findings can be an important surrogate marker for the effects of tDCS and thus can be used to optimize its parameters. This combined EEG-tDCS system can also be used for preventive treatment of neurological conditions characterized by abnormal peaks of cortical excitability, such as seizures. Such a system would be the basis of a non-invasive closed-loop device. In this article, we present a novel device that is capable of utilizing tDCS and EEG simultaneously. For that, we describe in a step-by-step fashion the main procedures of the application of this device using schematic figures, tables and video demonstrations. Additionally, we provide a literature review on clinical uses of tDCS and its cortical effects measured by EEG techniques.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has shown initial therapeutic effects in several neurological conditions. The main mechanism underlying these therapeutic effects is the modulation of cortical excitability. Therefore, online monitoring of cortical excitability would help guide stimulation parameters and optimize its therapeutic effects. In the present article we review the use of a novel device that combines simultaneous tDCS and EEG monitoring in real time.

Transcranial  direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique that delivers weak electric  currents through the scalp. This constant electric current ...

Stimulating the Lip Motor Cortex with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has proven to be a useful tool in investigating the role of the articulatory motor cortex in speech perception. Researchers have used single-pulse and repetitive TMS to stimulate the lip representation in the motor cortex. The excitability of the lip motor representation can be investigated by applying single TMS pulses over this cortical area and recording TMS-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) via electrodes attached to the lip muscles (electromyography; EMG). Larger MEPs reflect increased cortical excitability. Studies have shown that excitability increases during listening to speech as well as during&#160;viewing speech-related movements. TMS can be used also to disrupt the lip motor representation. A 15-min train of low-frequency sub-threshold repetitive stimulation has been shown to suppress motor excitability for a further 15-20 min. This TMS-induced disruption of the motor lip representation impairs subsequent performance in demanding speech perception tasks and modulates auditory-cortex responses to speech sounds. These findings are consistent with the suggestion that the motor cortex contributes to speech perception. This article describes how to localize the lip representation in the motor cortex and how to define the appropriate stimulation intensity for carrying out both single-pulse and repetitive TMS experiments.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has proven to be a useful tool in investigating the role of the articulatory motor cortex in speech perception.&#160; This article describes how to record motor evoked potentials (MEPs) from the lip muscles and how to disrupt the motor lip representation using repetitive TMS.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has proven to be a useful tool in investigating the role of the articulatory motor cortex in speech perception. ...

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Simultaneous  Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that uses weak electrical currents administered to the scalp to manipulate cortical excitability and, consequently, behavior and brain function. In the last decade, numerous studies have addressed short-term and long-term effects of tDCS on different measures of behavioral performance during motor and cognitive tasks, both in healthy individuals and in a number of different patient populations. So far, however, little is known about the neural underpinnings of tDCS-action in humans with regard to large-scale brain networks. This issue can be addressed by combining tDCS with functional brain imaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or electroencephalography (EEG).
In particular, fMRI is the most widely used brain imaging technique to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and motor functions. Application of tDCS during fMRI allows analysis of the neural mechanisms underlying behavioral tDCS effects with high spatial resolution across the entire brain. Recent studies using this technique identified stimulation induced changes in task-related functional brain activity at the stimulation site&#160;and also in more distant brain regions, which were associated with behavioral improvement. In addition, tDCS administered during resting-state fMRI allowed identification of widespread changes in whole brain functional connectivity.
Future studies using this combined protocol should yield new insights into the mechanisms of tDCS action in health and disease and new options for more targeted application of tDCS in research and clinical settings. The present manuscript describes this novel technique in a step-by-step fashion, with a focus on technical aspects of tDCS administered during fMRI.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique. It has successfully been used in basic research and clinical settings to modulate brain function in humans. This article describes the implementation of tDCS and simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to investigate the neural basis of tDCS effects.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that uses weak electrical currents administered to the scalp ...

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Investigating Causal Brain-behavioral Relationships and their Time Course

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses a strong electromagnet in order to temporarily disrupt information processing in a brain region, generating a short-lived &#8220;virtual lesion.&#8221; Stimulation that interferes with task performance indicates that the affected brain region is necessary to perform the task normally. In other words, unlike neuroimaging methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that indicate correlations between brain and behavior, TMS can be used to demonstrate causal brain-behavior relations. Furthermore, by varying the duration and onset of the virtual lesion, TMS can also reveal the time course of normal processing. As a result, TMS has become an important tool in cognitive neuroscience. Advantages of the technique over lesion-deficit studies include better spatial-temporal precision of the disruption effect, the ability to use participants as their own control subjects, and the accessibility of participants. Limitations include concurrent auditory and somatosensory stimulation that may influence task performance, limited access to structures more than a few centimeters from the surface of the scalp, and the relatively large space of free parameters that need to be optimized in order for the experiment to work. Experimental designs that give careful consideration to appropriate control conditions help to address these concerns. This article illustrates these issues with TMS results that investigate the spatial and temporal contributions of the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG) to reading.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a technique for non-invasively disrupting neural information processing and measuring its effect on behavior. When TMS interferes with a task, it indicates that the stimulated brain region is necessary for normal task performance, allowing one to systematically relate brain regions to cognitive functions.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses a strong electromagnet in order to temporarily ...

Modulating Cognition Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Cerebellum

Numerous studies have emerged recently that demonstrate the possibility of modulating, and in some cases enhancing, cognitive processes by exciting brain regions involved in working memory and attention using transcranial electrical brain stimulation. Some researchers now believe the cerebellum supports cognition, possibly via a remote neuromodulatory effect on the prefrontal cortex. This paper describes a procedure for investigating a role for the cerebellum in cognition using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and a selection of information-processing tasks of varying task difficulty, which have previously been shown to involve working memory, attention and cerebellar functioning. One task is called the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and the other a novel variant of this task called the Paced Auditory Serial Subtraction Task (PASST). A verb generation task and its two controls (noun and verb reading) were also investigated. All five tasks were performed by three separate groups of participants, before and after the modulation of cortico-cerebellar connectivity using anodal, cathodal or sham tDCS over the right cerebellar cortex. The procedure demonstrates how performance (accuracy, verbal response latency and variability) could be selectively improved after cathodal stimulation, but only during tasks that the participants rated as difficult, and not easy. Performance was unchanged by anodal or sham stimulation. These findings demonstrate a role for the cerebellum in cognition, whereby activity in the left prefrontal cortex is likely dis-inhibited by cathodal tDCS over the right cerebellar cortex. Transcranial brain stimulation is growing in popularity in various labs and clinics. However, the after-effects of tDCS are inconsistent between individuals and not always polarity-specific, and may even be task- or load-specific, all of which requires further study. Future efforts might also be guided towards neuro-enhancement in cerebellar patients presenting with cognitive impairment once a better understanding of brain stimulation mechanisms has emerged.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the cerebellum exerts a remote effect on the prefrontal cortex, which can modulate cognition and performance. This was demonstrated using two information-processing tasks of varying complexity, whereby only cathodal tDCS improved performance when the task was difficult, but not easy.

Numerous studies have emerged recently that demonstrate the possibility of modulating, and in some cases enhancing, cognitive processes by exciting brain ...

Multifunctional Setup for Studying Human Motor Control Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Electromyography, Motion Capture, and Virtual Reality

The study of neuromuscular control of movement in humans is accomplished with numerous technologies. Non-invasive methods for investigating neuromuscular function include transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, and three-dimensional motion capture. The advent of readily available and cost-effective virtual reality solutions has expanded the capabilities of researchers in recreating &#8220;real-world&#8221; environments and movements in a laboratory setting. Naturalistic movement analysis will not only garner a greater understanding of motor control in healthy individuals, but also permit the design of experiments and rehabilitation strategies that target specific motor impairments (e.g. stroke). The combined use of these tools will lead to increasingly deeper understanding of neural mechanisms of motor control. A key requirement when combining these data acquisition systems is fine temporal correspondence between the various data streams. This protocol describes a multifunctional system&#8217;s overall connectivity, intersystem signaling, and the temporal synchronization of recorded data. Synchronization of the component systems is primarily accomplished through the use of a customizable circuit, readily made with off the shelf components and minimal electronics assembly skills.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, and 3D motion capture are commonly used non-invasive techniques for investigating neuromuscular function in humans. In this paper, we describe a protocol that synchronously samples data generated by all three of these tools along with the unique addition of virtual reality stimulus presentation and feedback.

The study of neuromuscular control of movement in humans is accomplished with numerous technologies. Non-invasive methods for investigating neuromuscular ...

Neuronavigation-guided Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Aphasia

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is widely used for several neurological conditions, as it has gained acknowledgement for its potential therapeutic effects. Brain excitability is non-invasively modulated by rTMS, and rTMS to the language areas has proved its potential effects on treatment of aphasia. In our protocol, we aim to artificially induce virtual aphasia in healthy subjects by inhibiting Brodmann area 44 and 45 using neuronavigational TMS (nTMS), and F3 of the International 10-20 EEG system for conventional TMS (cTMS). To measure the degree of aphasia, changes in reaction time to a picture naming task pre- and post-stimulation are measured and compare the delay in reaction time between nTMS and cTMS. Accuracy of the two TMS stimulation methods is compared by averaging the Talairach coordinates of the target and the actual stimulation. Consistency of stimulation is demonstrated by the error range from the target. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate use of nTMS and to describe the benefits and limitations of the nTMS compared to those of cTMS.

This study is designed to test the hypothesis that neuronavigational system-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation has higher accuracy for targeting the intended target as demonstrated by eliciting a greater degree of virtual aphasia in healthy subjects, measured by delay in reaction time to picture naming.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is widely used for several neurological conditions, as it has gained acknowledgement for its potential ...

Concurrent Electroencephalography Recording During Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Oscillatory brain activities are considered to reflect the basis of rhythmic changes in transmission efficacy across brain networks and are assumed to integrate cognitive neural processes. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) holds the promise to elucidate the causal link between specific frequencies of oscillatory brain activity and cognitive processes. Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) recording during tACS would offer an opportunity to directly explore immediate neurophysiological effects of tACS. However, it is not trivial to measure EEG signals during tACS, as tACS creates a huge artifact in EEG data. Here we explain how to set up concurrent tACS-EEG experiments. Two necessary considerations for successful EEG recording while applying tACS are highlighted. First, bridging of the tACS and EEG electrodes via leaking EEG gel immediately saturates the EEG amplifier. To avoid bridging via gel, the viscosity of the EEG gel is the most important parameter. The EEG gel must be viscous to avoid bridging, but at the same time sufficiently fluid to create contact between the tACS electrode and the scalp. Second, due to the large amplitude of the tACS artifact, it is important to consider using an EEG system with a high resolution analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. In particular, the magnitude of the tACS artifact can exceed 100 mV at the vicinity of a stimulation electrode when 1 mA tACS is applied. The resolution of the A/D converter is of importance to measure good quality EEG data from the vicinity of the stimulation site. By following these guidelines for the procedures and technical considerations, successful concurrent EEG recording during tACS will be realized.

Concurrent Electroencephalography Recording During Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation tACS

In this article we explain how to set up a concurrent transcranial alternating current stimulation and EEG experiment.

Oscillatory brain activities are considered to reflect the basis of rhythmic changes in transmission efficacy across brain networks and are assumed to ...