Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS), i.e., transcranial magnetic (TMS) and electric (tES) stimulations are neuromodulatory techniques allowing for safe external manipulation of the human brain, thus avoiding any type of surgery or anesthesia.
NIBS is widely used to investigate brain mechanisms or to modulate cognitive, behavioral, or socio-emotional processes and, more in general, to establish a causal link between cortical stimulation and the consequent neurocognitive changes. More recently, these techniques have been at the center of investigations for their potential application in psychiatric, neuropsychological, and neurocognitive disorders.
Certain TMS and tES approaches can induce transient/lasting neural changes or entrain brain oscillations determining a therapeutic effect. Despite that, we are still far from a convincing consensus on NIBS’ therapeutic effects for most neurocognitive conditions. Although some studies on dementia patients have reported promising effects of non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention, its efficacy is still not comparable to the evidence deriving from optogenetic, sensorial, and electrical stimulation applied to murine models.
This Research Topic aims to cover current research outcomes and future directions in the field of NIBS applications (rTMS, Patterned rTMS, tDCS, tACS, tRNS) for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders in humans. We aim to gather insights on the application of single – or multi-session NIBS protocols and related effects, evaluated as cognitive or behavioral improvements, neural connectivity, electrophysiological modulation or reported variations in neuropathological hallmarks and molecular signaling pathways.
Finally, discussion on future directions in the field is welcome, focusing on home-based devices’ development and application, modeling, patient-tailored stimulation programs/protocols, and advances improving NIBS application, in terms of affordability, feasibility, and efficacy for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders.
We welcome all types of articles investigating the following subtopics:
• Therapeutic effects of NIBS protocols on patients with neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.)
• Therapeutic effects of NIBS protocols on neuropsychological syndromes due to brain injury (e.g., Aphasia, Neglect, Executive dysfunctions, etc.)
• Therapeutic effect of NIBS protocols on neurocognitive outcomes due to breathing, cardiovascular, metabolic, infection, or drug, and alcohol-related conditions
• NIBS effects on brain oscillations, neural connectivity, neural plasticity, and neuropathologies
• Advanced in NIBS technologies and applications to improve and individualize the non-invasive brain stimulation treatments
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS), i.e., transcranial magnetic (TMS) and electric (tES) stimulations are neuromodulatory techniques allowing for safe external manipulation of the human brain, thus avoiding any type of surgery or anesthesia.
NIBS is widely used to investigate brain mechanisms or to modulate cognitive, behavioral, or socio-emotional processes and, more in general, to establish a causal link between cortical stimulation and the consequent neurocognitive changes. More recently, these techniques have been at the center of investigations for their potential application in psychiatric, neuropsychological, and neurocognitive disorders.
Certain TMS and tES approaches can induce transient/lasting neural changes or entrain brain oscillations determining a therapeutic effect. Despite that, we are still far from a convincing consensus on NIBS’ therapeutic effects for most neurocognitive conditions. Although some studies on dementia patients have reported promising effects of non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention, its efficacy is still not comparable to the evidence deriving from optogenetic, sensorial, and electrical stimulation applied to murine models.
This Research Topic aims to cover current research outcomes and future directions in the field of NIBS applications (rTMS, Patterned rTMS, tDCS, tACS, tRNS) for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders in humans. We aim to gather insights on the application of single – or multi-session NIBS protocols and related effects, evaluated as cognitive or behavioral improvements, neural connectivity, electrophysiological modulation or reported variations in neuropathological hallmarks and molecular signaling pathways.
Finally, discussion on future directions in the field is welcome, focusing on home-based devices’ development and application, modeling, patient-tailored stimulation programs/protocols, and advances improving NIBS application, in terms of affordability, feasibility, and efficacy for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders.
We welcome all types of articles investigating the following subtopics:
• Therapeutic effects of NIBS protocols on patients with neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.)
• Therapeutic effects of NIBS protocols on neuropsychological syndromes due to brain injury (e.g., Aphasia, Neglect, Executive dysfunctions, etc.)
• Therapeutic effect of NIBS protocols on neurocognitive outcomes due to breathing, cardiovascular, metabolic, infection, or drug, and alcohol-related conditions
• NIBS effects on brain oscillations, neural connectivity, neural plasticity, and neuropathologies
• Advanced in NIBS technologies and applications to improve and individualize the non-invasive brain stimulation treatments
