Non-invasive Human Brain Stimulation in Cognitive Neuroscience: A Primer

Abstract

The use of non-invasive brain stimulation is widespread in studies of human cognitive neuroscience. This has led to some genuine advances in understanding perception and cognition, and has raised some hopes of applying the knowledge in clinical contexts. There are now several forms of stimulation, the ability to combine these with other methods, and ethical questions that are special to brain stimulation. In this Primer, we aim to give the users of these methods a starting point and perspective from which to view the key questions and usefulness of the different forms of non-invasive brain stimulation. We have done so by taking a critical view of recent highlights in the literature, selected case studies to illustrate the elements necessary and sufficient for good experiments, and pointed to questions and findings that can only be addressed using interference methods.

The Effects of Direct Current Stimulation on Exercise Performance, Pacing and Perception in Temperate and Hot Environments

“…Importantly, our post-study follow up procedures did not reveal the participant's ability to discern between the SHAM and tDCS protocols which has been documented to occur above the probability of chance detection in other studies where blinding was clearly not achieved [34]. Indeed, the tendency for participants to be better in the SHAM trial may indicate some contralateral interference from the cathode electrode on the adjacent cerebral hemispheres and this would have been lesser in the SHAM trial [35]. However, others [12] have seen differences with the methodological approach we employed here.…”

“…In the present study, since both HR and RPE are associated with the IC, a lack of change in both variables implies that neuronal excitability in the IC was not sufficiently altered following stimulation to result in a meaningful effect. Investigation using neuroimaging techniques such as electroencephalography or functional magnetic resonance imaging might substantiate these postulations [35]. Similarly, the inclusion of a control site for tDCS stimulation and a control task may have enhanced the mechanistic precision with which we could discuss our findings [35].…”

“…Investigation using neuroimaging techniques such as electroencephalography or functional magnetic resonance imaging might substantiate these postulations [35]. Similarly, the inclusion of a control site for tDCS stimulation and a control task may have enhanced the mechanistic precision with which we could discuss our findings [35].…”

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation as a Tool to Enhance Attention

“…To evaluate such costs, including control tasks that probe other cognitive abilities is essential (Parkin et al 2015;Wokke et al 2015). This is particularly important for multiple session tES studies, where both enhancements and costs may be larger and potentially longer lasting.…”

“…However, the anode-excitation and cathode-inhibition dichotomy is dependent on many factors and does not necessarily extrapolate to all cases (Bestmann et al 2015;Jacobson et al 2012;Parkin et al 2015). Even very low-level factors can influence the precise neurophysiological effects of tDCS.…”