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Using Animal Models to Improve the Design and Application of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in Humans

Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports volume 5, pages 125–135 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a non-invasive stimulation technique used for modulating brain function in humans. To help tES reach its full therapeutic potential, it is necessary to address a number of critical gaps in our knowledge. Here, we review studies that have taken advantage of animal models to provide invaluable insight about the basic science behind tES.

Recent Findings

Animal studies are playing a key role in elucidating the mechanisms implicated in tES, defining safety limits, validating computational models, inspiring new stimulation protocols, enhancing brain function, and exploring new therapeutic applications.

Summary

Animal models provide a wealth of information that can facilitate the successful utilization of tES for clinical interventions in human subjects. To this end, tES experiments in animals should be carefully designed to maximize opportunities for applying discoveries to the treatment of human disease.

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Abbreviations

AC:

Alternating current

ADHD:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AMPA:

α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

DC:

Direct current

EEG:

Electroencephalography

EMG:

Electromyography

fMRI:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

LFP:

Local field potential

M1:

Primary motor cortex

mGluR5:

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

NMDA:

N-methyl-D-aspartate

S1:

Primary somatosensory cortex

tACS:

Transcranial alternating-current stimulation

tDCS:

Transcranial direct-current stimulation

tES:

Transcranial electrical stimulation

tRNS:

Transcranial random-noise stimulation

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Funding

This work was supported by grants from the Spanish MINECO-FEDER (BFU2014–53820-P) to JMR and from the US National Institutes of Health (RF1 MH114269) to JFM and JMR. Dr. Sánchez León reports grants from FPU13/04858, during the conduct of the study.

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Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013, Seville, Spain

    Carlos A. Sánchez-León & Javier Márquez-Ruiz

  2. CINAC, University Hospital HM Puerta del Sur, CEU - San Pablo University, 28938, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    Claudia Ammann

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Javier F. Medina

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  1. Carlos A. Sánchez-León
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  2. Claudia Ammann
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  3. Javier F. Medina
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  4. Javier Márquez-Ruiz
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Correspondence to Javier Márquez-Ruiz.

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Sánchez-León, C.A., Ammann, C., Medina, J.F. et al. Using Animal Models to Improve the Design and Application of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in Humans. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 5, 125–135 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-018-0149-6

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Keywords

  • Transcranial electrical stimulation
  • tDCS
  • Brain stimulation
  • Neuromodulation
  • Animal models
  • Plasticity