Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance
IntroductionTranscranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising tool for modulating brain oscillations. This study investigated whether 5 Hz tACS could modulate neural oscillations in the prefrontal cortex and how this modulation impacts performance in working memory (WM) tasks.Method...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1493675/full |
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| author | Ranjan Debnath Osama Elyamany Osama Elyamany Jona Ruben Iffland Jonas Rauh Michael Siebert Elisa Andraes Gregor Leicht Christoph Mulert Christoph Mulert |
| author_facet | Ranjan Debnath Osama Elyamany Osama Elyamany Jona Ruben Iffland Jonas Rauh Michael Siebert Elisa Andraes Gregor Leicht Christoph Mulert Christoph Mulert |
| author_sort | Ranjan Debnath |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionTranscranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising tool for modulating brain oscillations. This study investigated whether 5 Hz tACS could modulate neural oscillations in the prefrontal cortex and how this modulation impacts performance in working memory (WM) tasks.MethodIn two sessions, 28 healthy participants received 5 Hz tACS or sham stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) while performing tasks with high and low WM loads. Resting-state EEG was recorded before and after stimulations for 5 minutes. EEG power was measured at electrodes surrounding the stimulation site.ResultsThe results showed that tACS significantly improved reaction time (RT) compared to sham stimulation. This effect was task-specific, as tACS improved RT for hit responses only in high WM load trials, with no impact on low-load trials. Moreover, tACS significantly increased EEG power at 5 Hz and in the theta band compared to pre-stimulation levels.DiscussionThese findings demonstrate that tACS applied over left DLPFC modulates post-stimulation brain oscillations at the stimulation sites – known as tACS after-effects. Furthermore, the results suggest that 5 Hz tACS enhances response speed by elevating task-related activity in the prefrontal cortex to an optimal level for task performance.ConclusionIn summary, the findings highlight the potential of tACS as a technique for modulating specific brain oscillations, with implications for research and therapeutic interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d533d8248a9b4bed898d46f552757ef3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-d533d8248a9b4bed898d46f552757ef32025-01-14T06:10:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-01-011510.3389/fpsyt.2024.14936751493675Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performanceRanjan Debnath0Osama Elyamany1Osama Elyamany2Jona Ruben Iffland3Jonas Rauh4Michael Siebert5Elisa Andraes6Gregor Leicht7Christoph Mulert8Christoph Mulert9Centre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, GermanyCentre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, GermanyCentre for Mind, Brain and Behaviour (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, GermanyCentre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, GermanyDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyCentre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, GermanyCentre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, GermanyDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyCentre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, GermanyCentre for Mind, Brain and Behaviour (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, GermanyIntroductionTranscranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a promising tool for modulating brain oscillations. This study investigated whether 5 Hz tACS could modulate neural oscillations in the prefrontal cortex and how this modulation impacts performance in working memory (WM) tasks.MethodIn two sessions, 28 healthy participants received 5 Hz tACS or sham stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) while performing tasks with high and low WM loads. Resting-state EEG was recorded before and after stimulations for 5 minutes. EEG power was measured at electrodes surrounding the stimulation site.ResultsThe results showed that tACS significantly improved reaction time (RT) compared to sham stimulation. This effect was task-specific, as tACS improved RT for hit responses only in high WM load trials, with no impact on low-load trials. Moreover, tACS significantly increased EEG power at 5 Hz and in the theta band compared to pre-stimulation levels.DiscussionThese findings demonstrate that tACS applied over left DLPFC modulates post-stimulation brain oscillations at the stimulation sites – known as tACS after-effects. Furthermore, the results suggest that 5 Hz tACS enhances response speed by elevating task-related activity in the prefrontal cortex to an optimal level for task performance.ConclusionIn summary, the findings highlight the potential of tACS as a technique for modulating specific brain oscillations, with implications for research and therapeutic interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1493675/fulltranscranial alternating current stimulationEEGworking memorytheta powerdorsolateral prefrontal cortex |
| spellingShingle | Ranjan Debnath Osama Elyamany Osama Elyamany Jona Ruben Iffland Jonas Rauh Michael Siebert Elisa Andraes Gregor Leicht Christoph Mulert Christoph Mulert Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance Frontiers in Psychiatry transcranial alternating current stimulation EEG working memory theta power dorsolateral prefrontal cortex |
| title | Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance |
| title_full | Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance |
| title_fullStr | Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance |
| title_short | Theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance |
| title_sort | theta transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal cortex enhances theta power and working memory performance |
| topic | transcranial alternating current stimulation EEG working memory theta power dorsolateral prefrontal cortex |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1493675/full |
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