Human translingual neurostimulation alters resting brain activity in high-density EEG

Abstract

Abstract Background Despite growing evidence of a critical link between neuromodulation technologies and neuroplastic recovery, the underlying mechanisms of these technologies remain elusive. Objective To investigate physiological evidence of central nervous system (CNS) changes in humans during translingual neurostimulation (TLNS). Methods We used high-density electroencephalography (EEG) to measure changes in resting brain activity before, during, and after high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) TLNS. Results Wavelet power analysis around Cz and microstate analysis revealed significant changes after 20 min of stimulation compared to baseline. A secondary effect of exposure order was also identified, indicating a differential neuromodulatory influence of HF TLNS relative to LF TLNS on alpha and theta signal power. Conclusions These results further our understanding of the effects of TLNS on underlying resting brain activity, which in the long-term may contribute to the critical link between clinical effect and changes in brain activity.

Keywords

• Cranial nerve stimulation
• Neuromodulation
• Neuroplasticity
• EEG