Brain Perfusion Alterations Induced by Standalone and Combined Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

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Razza, Lais Boralli ; Rodrigues da Silva, Pedro Henrique ; Busatto, Geraldo F. ; de Souza Duran, Fabio Luis ; Pereira, Juliana ; De Smet, Stefanie ; Klein, Izio ; Zanao, Tamires A. ; Luethi, Matthias S. ; Baeken, Chris ; Vanderhasselt, Marie-Anne ; Buchpiguel, Carlos Alberto ; Brunoni, Andre Russowsky

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOMEDICINES; v. 10, n. 10, p. 11-pg., 2022-10-01.

Abstract

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions are promising for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Notwithstanding, the NIBS mechanisms of action over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a hub that modulates affective and cognitive processes, have not been completely mapped. We aimed to investigate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes over the DLPFC and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) of different NIBS protocols using Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). A factorial, within-subjects, double-blinded study was performed. Twenty-three healthy subjects randomly underwent four sessions of NIBS applied once a week: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), combined tDCS + iTBS and placebo. The radiotracer 99m-Technetium-ethylene-cysteine-dimer was injected intravenously during the NIBS session, and SPECT neuroimages were acquired after the session. Results revealed that the combination of tDCS + iTBS increased right sgACC rCBF. Cathodal and anodal tDCS increased and decreased DLPFC rCBF, respectively, while iTBS showed no significant changes compared to the placebo. Our findings suggest that the combined protocol might optimize the activity in the right sgACC and encourage future trials with neuropsychiatric populations. Moreover, mechanistic studies to investigate the effects of tDCS and iTBS over the DLPFC are required. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/10861-7 - A Phase-I bilateral project using a sham-controlled, factorial design of transcranial direct current stimulation and theta-burst stimulation to investigate the effects on multimodal assessments of prefrontal cortex functioning
• Grantee: Andre Russowsky Brunoni
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/07256-7 - Cerebral alteration perfusion induced by transcranial stimulation of the prefrontal cortex: a randomized, placebo-controlled study, using 99mTc SPECT
• Grantee: Lais Boralli Razza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)