Project Details
Projekt
Subject specific maximization of motor function with an adaptive optimal combination of noisy and oscillatory transcranial current stimulation
Subject Area
Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology
Term
from 2013 to 2017
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 239142454
Transcranial brain stimulation comprises methods for non-invasive painless stimulation of the human cortex. Thus, for example, tonic subthreshold electric stimulation of the brain with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) allows for the circumscribed long-lasting modification of cortical excitability. Incongruous effects following direct current, alternating current and random-noise stimulation are interesting from a neurophysiological view-point, have the potential to be used in patients in clinical neurology and neuro-rehabilitation and may contribute to a common explanatory model of the various brain stimulation techniques. The goal of this proposal is to optimally promote motor function in healthy subjects by the systematic modification of two fundamental stimulation parameters - noise and oscillation. The model-free optimization of these stimulus parameters on the basis of changes in a predefined state-variable (e.g. finger-tapping, cortico-muscular coherence) and model-based current density calculations (finite or boundary elements) allows us to establish a closed-loop stimulation algorithm (tONS, transcranial optimal noise stimulation) to promote motor functions. We hypothesize that tONS is more efficient than pure oscillatory or noisy forms of stimulation in the specific modification of neuronal networks (e.g. for finger-tapping speed or precision maximization). Additionally, the implementation of navigated brain stimulation software will ensure precise as well as safe stimulation in e.g. a clinical setting.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
