The safety and efficacy of applying a high-current temporal interference electrical stimulation in humans

Yan Wang; Yan Wang; Ginger Qinghong Zeng; Mengmeng Wang; Mengmeng Wang; Mingsong Zhang; Mingsong Zhang; Chuangchuang Chang; Chuangchuang Chang; Qiongwei Liu; Keqing Wang; Ru Ma; Ying Wang; Ying Wang; Xiaochu Zhang; Xiaochu Zhang; Xiaochu Zhang; Xiaochu Zhang; Xiaochu Zhang

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2024.1484593

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (Nov 2024)

The safety and efficacy of applying a high-current temporal interference electrical stimulation in humans

Yan Wang,
Yan Wang,
Ginger Qinghong Zeng,
Mengmeng Wang,
Mengmeng Wang,
Mingsong Zhang,
Mingsong Zhang,
Chuangchuang Chang,
Chuangchuang Chang,
Qiongwei Liu,
Keqing Wang,
Ru Ma,
Ying Wang,
Ying Wang,
Xiaochu Zhang,
Xiaochu Zhang,
Xiaochu Zhang,
Xiaochu Zhang,
Xiaochu Zhang

Affiliations

Yan Wang: School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, China
Yan Wang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Ginger Qinghong Zeng: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Mengmeng Wang: School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, China
Mengmeng Wang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Mingsong Zhang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Mingsong Zhang: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Chuangchuang Chang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Chuangchuang Chang: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Qiongwei Liu: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Keqing Wang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Ru Ma: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Ying Wang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Ying Wang: Anhui Provincial Stereotactic Neurosurgical Institute, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Brain Disease Hefei, Hefei, China
Xiaochu Zhang: School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2024.1484593
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 18

Abstract

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BackgroundTemporal interference electrical stimulation (TI) is promise in targeting deep brain regions focally. However, limited electric field intensity challenges its efficacy.ObjectiveThis study aimed to introduce a high-current TI electrical stimulation protocol to enhance its intensity and evaluate its safety and efficacy when applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) in the human brain.MethodsSafety assessments included a battery of biochemical and neuropsychological tests (NSE, MoCA, PPT, VAMS-R, and SAS measurements), 5-min resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) recordings before and after 30-min high-current TI electrical stimulation sessions (20 Hz, 70 Hz, sham). Adverse reactions were also documented post-stimulation. Efficacy evaluations involved two motor tasks, the simple reaction time (SRT) task and the one-increment task, to investigate the distinct contributions of beta (20 Hz) and gamma (70 Hz) oscillations to motor functions.ResultsBiochemical and neuropsychological tests revealed no significant differences between the groups. Additionally, no epileptic activities were detected in the EEG recordings. In the one-increment task, 20 Hz stimulation delayed participants’ reaction time compared to the 70 Hz and sham groups. Conversely, in the SRT task, 70 Hz stimulation exhibited a tendency to enhance participants’ performance relative to the sham group.ConclusionThe proposed high-current TI electrical stimulation is both safe and effective for stimulating the human brain. Moreover, the distinct effects observed in motor tasks underscore the dissociative roles of beta and gamma oscillations in motor functions, offering valuable insights into the potential applications of high-current TI electrical stimulation in brain stimulation research.

Published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

ISSN: 1662-5161 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/human_neuroscience

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