Brain Stimul
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Neural activity during attentional conflict predicts reduction in tinnitus perception following rTMS.
Subjective idiopathic tinnitus is an intrusive, distracting, and potentially disabling disorder characterized by phantom perception of sounds. Although tinnitus has no approved pharmacologic treatment, recent evidence supports the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to alleviate tinnitus symptoms. ⋯ These candidate neural reactivity markers of treatment response have potential clinical value in identifying tinnitus sufferers who would or would not therapeutically benefit from rTMS intervention.
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Previous studies indicate that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with anode over motor cortex (M1) and cathode over contralateral supraorbital region (SO) may be effective in reducing pain, but these studies are limited in number and have not focused on older adults with osteoarthritis (OA). ⋯ Although not consistent in all pain measurements, our findings demonstrate promising clinical efficacy for reduction in pain perception for older adults with knee OA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation acutely improves spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in healthy young men: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Despite positive outcomes of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN), the mechanisms underlying these outcomes remain unclear. Additionally, previous studies have not been controlled the possible placebo effects of tVNS. ⋯ tVNS acutely improves cBRS and autonomic modulation in healthy young men.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Stimulating cognition in schizophrenia: A controlled pilot study of the effects of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation upon memory and learning.
Schizophrenia is characterized by prominent cognitive deficits, impacting on memory and learning; these are strongly associated with the prefrontal cortex. ⋯ This is the first study to show a significant longer-term effect of tDCS on working memory in schizophrenia. Given the current lack of effective therapies for cognitive deficits, tDCS may offer an important novel approach to modulating brain networks to ameliorate cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Cortical excitability after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury.
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) outcomes are variable, and 10-15% may suffer from prolonged symptoms beyond 3 months that impair the child's return to normal activities. Neurophysiological mechanisms of mTBI are incompletely understood, particularly in children, but alterations in cortical excitability have been proposed to underlie post-concussion syndrome. Improved understanding is required to advance interventions and improve outcomes. ⋯ TMS measures of cortical excitability are altered at one month in children with mTBI. Long interval cortical inhibition is decreased in children who remain symptomatic at one month post-injury.