Brain Stimul
-
Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is a new non-invasive technique to modulate spinal cord activity. The pathophysiological concept of primary RLS proposes increased spinal excitability. ⋯ This is the first tsDCS study in idiopathic RLS, which resulted in short-lasting clinical improvement. Furthermore, our results support the pathophysiological concept of spinal cord hyperexcitability in primary RLS and provide the basis for a new non-pharmacological treatment tool.
-
Clinical Trial
Feasibility, safety and efficacy of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in chronic tinnitus: an open pilot study.
Vagus nerve stimulation represents an established treatment strategy for epilepsy and affective disorders. Recently, positive effects were also shown in animals and humans with tinnitus. Here we report the results of an open pilot study exploring feasibility, safety and efficacy of tVNS in the treatment of chronic tinnitus. ⋯ Our data demonstrate the feasibility of tVNS over a period of 6 months. There was no clinically relevant improvement of tinnitus complaints. Our data suggest tVNS to be considered safe in patients without a history of cardiac disease.
-
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) reduces Parkinson disease (PD) motor symptoms but has unexplained, variable effects on mood. ⋯ PD participants diagnosed with current mood or anxiety disorders are more sensitive to STN DBS-induced effects on mood, possibly indicating altered basal ganglia circuitry in this group.
-
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is regarded as an effective way to treat refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Little is known about the effects of DBS cessation following a longer period of stimulation. ⋯ Acute DBS cessation causes a relapse of obsessions and compulsions and a rebound of anxiety and depression. Additionally, improvements on QoL disappear.
-
Age-related differences in short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition in a human hand muscle.
Effects of age on the assessment of intracortical inhibition with paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have been variable, which may be due to between-study differences in test TMS intensity and test motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude. ⋯ Advancing age influences GABA-mediated intracortical inhibition, but the outcome is dependent on the experimental conditions. Age-related differences in SICI and LICI were influenced by test TMS intensity and test MEP amplitude, suggesting that these are important considerations when assessing intracortical inhibition in older adults, particularly in an active muscle.