Modulating neural oscillations by transcranial static magnetic field stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: A crossover, double‐blind, sham‐controlled pilot study. (3rd December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheffield, Alec; Ahn, Sangtae; Alagapan, Sankaraleengam; Fröhlich, Flavio
• Is Part Of: European journal of neuroscience. Volume 49:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2018-12-03
• Subjects: alpha asymmetry -- alpha oscillations -- beta asymmetry -- beta oscillations -- electroencephalography -- neodymium magnet -- static magnetic field -- theta oscillations -- tSMS; Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-816X

Abstract

Abstract: Transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) is a novel non‐invasive brain stimulation technique that has been shown to locally increase alpha power in the parietal and occipital cortex. We investigated if tSMS locally increased alpha power in the left or right prefrontal cortex, as the balance of left/right prefrontal alpha power (frontal alpha asymmetry) has been linked to emotional processing and mood disorders. Therefore, altering frontal alpha asymmetry with tSMS may serve as a novel treatment to psychiatric diseases. We performed a crossover, double‐blind, sham‐controlled pilot study to assess the effects of prefrontal tSMS on neural oscillations. Twenty‐four right‐handed healthy participants were recruited and received left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tSMS, right DLPFC tSMS, and sham tSMS in a randomized order. Electroencephalography data were collected before (2 min eyes‐closed, 2 min eyes‐open), during (10 min eyes‐open), and after (2 min eyes‐open) stimulation. In contrast with our hypothesis, neither left nor right tSMS locally increased frontal alpha power. However, alpha power increased in occipital cortex during left DLPFC tSMS. Right DLPFC tSMS increased post‐stimulation fronto‐parietal theta power, indicating possible relevance to memory and cognition. Left and right DLPFC tSMS increased post‐stimulation left hemisphere beta power, indicating possible changes to motor behavior. Left DLPFC tSMS also increased post‐stimulation right frontal beta power, demonstrating complex network effects that may be relevant to aggressive behavior. We concluded that DLPFC tSMS modulated the network oscillations in regions distant from the location of stimulation and that tSMS has region specific effects on neural oscillations. Abstract : We applied transcranial static magnetic field stimulation to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and measured changes to neural oscillations. Contrary to prior findings of studies in the visual cortex, alpha power was unchanged at the site of stimulation, but we observed other alterations in the alpha, beta, and theta band. Our results indicate that the effect of transcranial static magnetic field stimulation on neural oscillations may be specific to the region stimulated.