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Conventional vs. High-definition tDCS: A Comparison of Neurophysiological and Behavioural Effects
Fabio Masina
IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice
Corresponding Author
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High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) seems to overcome a drawback of Conventional tDCS: the wide-spread diffusion of the electric field. Nevertheless, most of the differences that characterise the two techniques are based on mathematical simulations and not on real, behavioural and neurophysiological, data.
The study aims to compare Conventional and HD-tDCS, investigating differences both at a behavioural level, in terms of dexterity performance, and a neurophysiological level, as modifications of alpha and beta power as measured with EEG.
Thirty participants took part in three sessions, one for each montage: Conventional tDCS, HD-tDCS, and sham. In all the conditions, the anode was placed over C4, while the cathode/s placed according to the montage. At baseline, during, and after each stimulation condition, dexterity was assessed with a Finger Tapping Task. In addition, resting-state EEG was recorded at baseline and after the stimulation. Power spectrum density was calculated, selecting two frequency bands: alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (18–22 Hz). Linear mixed effect models (LMMs) were used to analyse the modulation induced by tDCS. To evaluate differences among the montages and consider state-dependency phenomenon, the post-stimulation measurements were covariate-adjusted for baseline levels.
We observed that HD-tDCS induced an alpha power reduction in participants with lower alpha. Conversely, Conventional tDCS induced a beta power reduction in participants with higher beta at baseline. Furthermore, data suggested a positive behavioural effect of HD-tDCS on dexterity in participants with lower beta at baseline.
Conventional and HD-tDCS distinctively modulated cortical activity. The study highlights the importance of considering state-dependency to determine the effects of tDCS on individuals.
Keywords
High-definition tDCS, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Resting-state EEG, State-dependency, Motor cortex
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This preprint is under consideration at Scientific Reports. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Conventional vs. High-definition tDCS: A Comparison of Neurophysiological and Behavioural Effects
Fabio Masina
IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 18 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 17 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 18 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 18 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #6 agreed
On 18 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 18 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #5 agreed
On 18 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 18 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 18 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 18 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Dec, 2020
First submitted
On 15 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) seems to overcome a drawback of Conventional tDCS: the wide-spread diffusion of the electric field. Nevertheless, most of the differences that characterise the two techniques are based on mathematical simulations and not on real, behavioural and neurophysiological, data.
The study aims to compare Conventional and HD-tDCS, investigating differences both at a behavioural level, in terms of dexterity performance, and a neurophysiological level, as modifications of alpha and beta power as measured with EEG.
Thirty participants took part in three sessions, one for each montage: Conventional tDCS, HD-tDCS, and sham. In all the conditions, the anode was placed over C4, while the cathode/s placed according to the montage. At baseline, during, and after each stimulation condition, dexterity was assessed with a Finger Tapping Task. In addition, resting-state EEG was recorded at baseline and after the stimulation. Power spectrum density was calculated, selecting two frequency bands: alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (18–22 Hz). Linear mixed effect models (LMMs) were used to analyse the modulation induced by tDCS. To evaluate differences among the montages and consider state-dependency phenomenon, the post-stimulation measurements were covariate-adjusted for baseline levels.
We observed that HD-tDCS induced an alpha power reduction in participants with lower alpha. Conversely, Conventional tDCS induced a beta power reduction in participants with higher beta at baseline. Furthermore, data suggested a positive behavioural effect of HD-tDCS on dexterity in participants with lower beta at baseline.
Conventional and HD-tDCS distinctively modulated cortical activity. The study highlights the importance of considering state-dependency to determine the effects of tDCS on individuals.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3