Development of a novel approach for inducing the neuronal plasticity using transcranial alternating current stimulation

• Project/Area Number: 18K17720
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Fukuoka International University of Health and Welfare (2020-2021); Kyushu University (2018-2019)
• Principal Investigator: NAKAZONO Hisato 福岡国際医療福祉大学, 医療学部, 講師 (70814771)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2021)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2021: ¥260,000 (Direct Cost: ¥200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥60,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥2,340,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥540,000)
• Keywords: 経頭蓋交流電気刺激 / 経頭蓋磁気刺激 / 運動野 / 視覚野 / 組合せ刺激 / 運動誘発電位 / 可塑性 / 一次運動野 / 反復ペアパルスTMS / 可塑的変化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applies weak alternating currents to the scalp, which can entrain brain oscillations and enhance cortical excitability. In this study, we investigated the effects of combined stimulation with tACS and repetitive paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (rPPS) as a novel approach for neuroplasticity induction. The facilitatory effects of rPPS were strengthened depending on the tACS phase and frequency. This finding may contribute to the therapeutic application of combined stimulation in the future.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

非侵襲的脳刺激法は，リハビリテーションへの応用が期待されているが，その効果には個体差があり，刺激効果の持続性も短いため治療法としてまだ確立していない．本研究は，経頭蓋交流電気刺激と経頭蓋磁気刺激を組合せる新たな刺激法を開発し，安定した効果を誘導することに成功した．本研究の結果は，非侵襲的脳刺激法の治療的応用に向けた新たな展開に寄与できる可能性が高く，その社会的意義も大きい．

Research Products

• [Journal Article] A specific phase of transcranial alternating current stimulation at the β frequency boosts repetitive paired-pulse TMS-induced plasticity (2021)
  • Author(s): Nakazono H, Ogata K, Takeda A, Yamada E, Oka S, Tobimatsu S.
  • Journal Title: Scientific Reports Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Pages: 13179-13179
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92768-x
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] After-Effects of Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation Are Differentially and Phase-Dependently Suppressed by α- and β-Frequency Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (2021)
  • Author(s): Ogata K, Nakazono H, Ikeda T, Oka S, Goto Y, Tobimatsu S.
  • Journal Title: Frontiers in human neuroscience Volume: 15 Pages: 750329-750329
  • DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.750329
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Transcranial alternating current stimulation of α but not β frequency sharpens multiple visual functions. (2020)
  • Author(s): Nakazono H, Ogata K, Takeda A, Yamada E, Kimura T, Tobimatsu S.
  • Journal Title: Brain Stimulation Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Pages: 343-352
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.10.022
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Determination of a cut-off point of a scale for achievement motive in geriatrics that predicts the frequency of undertaking instrumental activities of daily living in community-dwelling elderly people. (2019)
  • Author(s): Sano N, Nakazono H.
  • Journal Title: Advances in Aging Research Volume: 8 Issue: 06 Pages: 107-118
  • DOI: 10.4236/aar.2019.86008
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Prestimulus cortical EEG oscillations can predict the excitability of the primary motor cortex. (2019)
  • Author(s): Ogata K, Nakazono H, Uehara T, Tobimatsu S.
  • Journal Title: Brain Stimulation Volume: 12 Issue: 6 Pages: 1508-1516
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.06.013
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Modified ischemic nerve block of the forearm: use for the induction of cortical plasticity in distal hand muscles. (2019)
  • Author(s): Hayashi R, Ogata K, Nakazono H, Tobimatsu S.
  • Journal Title: The Journal of Physiology Volume: 597 Issue: 13 Pages: 3457-3471
  • DOI: 10.1113/jp277639
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] 経頭蓋交流電気刺激（tACS）を用いた新しい脳可塑性誘導法の開発 : 続報 (2021)
  • Author(s): 中薗寿人, 緒方勝也, 竹田昂典, 山田絵美, 岡真一郎, 飛松省三
  • Organizer: 第51回日本臨床神経生理学会学術大会
• [Presentation] 経頭蓋交流電気刺激(tACS)と反復ペアパルス経頭蓋磁気刺激(rPPS)の組合せによる運動野への可塑性誘導 (2020)
  • Author(s): 中薗寿人, 緒方勝也, 飛松省三
  • Organizer: 第14回日本作業療法研究学会学術大会
• [Presentation] 経頭蓋交流電気刺激(tACS)の刺激周波数と位相依存的な効果について (2020)
  • Author(s): 中薗寿人
  • Organizer: 第50回日本臨床神経生理学会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] 経頭蓋交流電気刺激を用いた新しい脳可塑性誘導法の開発 (2019)
  • Author(s): 中薗寿人, 緒方勝也, 竹田昂典, 飛松省三
  • Organizer: 第49回日本臨床神経生理学会学術大会
• [Presentation] 10 Hz tACSのシータバースト刺激に対する位相依存的効果 (2019)
  • Author(s): 緒方勝也, 中薗寿人, 後藤純信, 飛松省三
  • Organizer: 第49回日本臨床神経生理学会学術大会
• [Presentation] A new patterned TMS to increase the excitability of motor cortex (2018)
  • Author(s): Nakazono H, Ogata K, Tobimatsu S
  • Organizer: The 12th International Conference on Complex Medical Engineering
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 経頭蓋交流電気刺激（tACS）による視覚機能への影響：コントラスト感度の調節 (2018)
  • Author(s): 中薗寿人, 緒方勝也,竹田昂典, 山田絵美, 木村岳裕, 飛松省三
  • Organizer: 第48回日本臨床神経生理学会学術大会
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] tACSによる視覚野の可塑性誘導 (2018)
  • Author(s): 中薗寿人
  • Organizer: 第48回日本臨床神経生理学会
  • Invited