Transcranial electrical stimulation: How can a simple conductor orchestrate complex brain activity?

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001973
• Publication Date: 2023-01-30T19:33:55Z
• Authors: Matthew R. Krause; Pedro G. Vieira; Christopher C. Pack
• Keywords: Neuromodulation; Brain stimulation; Computational neuroscience; Stimulus (psychology); Premovement neuronal activity; Electrical brain stimulation; Neural Activity

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is one of the oldest and yet least understood forms brain stimulation. The idea that a weak stimulus, applied outside head, can meaningfully affect neural activity often regarded as mysterious. Here, we argue direct effects tES are not so mysterious: Extensive data from wide range model systems shows it has appreciable on individual neurons. Instead, real mysteries how interacts with brain’s own these dynamics be controlled to produce desirable therapeutic effects. These challenging problems, akin repairing complex machine while running, but they unique or even neuroscience. We suggest models coupled oscillators, common tool for studying interactions in other fields, may provide valuable insights. By combining tools our growing, interdisciplinary knowledge dynamics, now good position make progress this area meet high demand effective neuromodulation neuroscience psychiatry.