Brain activity modification produced by a single radioelectric asymmetric brain stimulation pulse: a new tool for neuropsychiatric treatments. Preliminary fMRI study

Abstract

PurposeRadioelectric asymmetric brain stimulation technology with its treatment protocols has shown efficacy in various psychiatric disorders. The aim of this work was to highlight the mechanisms by which these positive effects are achieved. The current study was conducted to determine whether a single 500-millisecond radioelectric asymmetric conveyor (REAC) brain stimulation pulse (BSP), applied to the ear, can effect a modification of brain activity that is detectable using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).MethodsTen healthy volunteers, six females and four males, underwent fMRI during a simple finger-tapping motor task before and after receiving a single 500-millisecond REAC-BSP.ResultsThe fMRI results indicate that the average variation in task-induced encephalic activation patterns is lower in subjects following the single REAC pulse.ConclusionThe current report demonstrates that a single REAC-BSP is sufficient to modulate brain activity in awake subjects, able to be measured using fMRI. These initial results open new perspectives into the understanding of the effects of weak and brief radio pulses upon brain activity, and provide the basis for further indepth studies using REAC-BSP and fMRI.

Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer: A Novel Neuromodulation Technology in Alzheimer’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…Overall, these results suggest profound influences of REAC on brain functional network architecture at the cellular level, even in strongly perturbed networks such as the CCI chronic pain model. These findings at the neuronal scale supplement the previous fMRI data that reported REAC-induced BOLD signal reductions in motor regions activated by simple motor tasks involving finger tapping ( 26 ), leg flexion ( 27 ), and postural balance control ( 28 ).…”

“…REAC-NPO is thought to modulate and optimize motor and postural strategies ( 28 ), thus inducing neuromodulation. It is possible to highlight this neuromodulation though the fMRI BOLD signal via reductions in signals from motor regions activated by simple motor tasks like finger tapping ( 26 ) or leg flexion ( 25 , 27 ). These BOLD signal spatial reductions in REAC-NPO-treated groups are particularly noticeable in cerebellar and ponto-mesencephalic areas, where the signal completely disappears.…”

REAC technology modifies pathological neuroinflammation and motor behaviour in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model

“…In this study, the ACP was the aluminum cage floor, while the stimulation points were the mice paws. Postural position has no influence on REAC treatment effects, but on the contrary, several previous studies have proven that REAC treatments can improve postural position and motor behaviour 7 8 9 10 11 12 . Therefore, there is no need to control mice position during the treatment.…”

“…This current flow can be focused, as required, on specific areas through an (asymmetric) single probe-conveyor, specific to REAC technology. When used according to a specific protocol (neuro-postural optimization –NPO- 250 milliseconds), it induces long-lasting changes in brain activation 7 and improves balance in patients suffering from various neurological diseases 8 , as observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) 7 9 10 . The impact of REAC-NPO treatment has also been explored in AD patients in a pilot randomized controlled trial 11 and in a randomized cross-over trial 12 designed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and short-term motor effects in patients with advanced AD, who also experience motor deterioration.…”

REAC neuromodulation treatments in subjects with severe socioeconomic and cultural hardship in the Brazilian state of Pará: a family observational pilot study

“…The two REAC neuromodulation protocols used were the neuro postural optimization (NPO) and the neuropsycho-physical optimization (NPPO). The REAC-NPO protocol has proved to be effective in optimizing encephalic electrometabolic functions, by inducing long-lasting changes in brain activation 7 – 9 also in subjects with Alzheimer’s 10 , 11 and other neurological diseases. 12 …”