Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation does not alter GABA concentration or functional connectivity in the normal visual cortex.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Anodal direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) of the visual cortex is a potential rehabilitation tool for vision disorders such as amblyopia and macular degeneration. However, the underlying neural mechanisms are currently unknown. When applied to the human motor cortex, a-tDCS reduces the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that modulates neuroplasticity. Our primary aim was to assess whether the same a-tDCS paradigm alters local GABA concentration when applied to the healthy primary visual cortex. We also measured the effect of a-tDCS on visual cortex resting-state connectivity and sought to replicate reported observations of an association between visual cortex GABA concentration and the dynamics of binocular rivalry.

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SUBMITTER: Abuleil D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12570334 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature