Endogenous cortical oscillations constrain neuromodulation by weak electric fields.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation modality that may modulate cognition by enhancing endogenous neocortical oscillations by application of sine-wave electric fields. Yet, the role of endogenous network activity in enabling and shaping the effects of tACS has remained unclear.

Objective

We combined optogenetic stimulation and multichannel slice electrophysiology to elucidate how the effect of a weak sine-wave electric field depends on the ongoing cortical oscillatory activity. We hypothesized that endogenous cortical oscillations constrain neuromodulation by tACS.

Methods

We studied the effect of weak sine-wave electric fields on oscillatory activity in mouse neocortical slices. Optogenetic control of the

SUBMITTER: Schmidt SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4259839 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature