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A Future of Current Flow Modelling for Transcranial Electrical Stimulation?

Lee, JSA; Bestmann, S; Evans, C; (2021) A Future of Current Flow Modelling for Transcranial Electrical Stimulation? Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports 10.1007/s40473-021-00238-5. Green open access

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Abstract

Purpose of Review: Transcranialelectrical stimulation (tES) is used to non-invasively modulate brain activityin health and disease. Current flow modeling (CFM) provides estimates of whereand how much electrical current is delivered to in the brain during tES. Ittherefore holds promise as a method to reduce commonplace variability in tESdelivery and, in turn, the outcomes of stimulation. However, the adoption ofCFM has not yet been widespread and its impact on tES outcome variability isunclear. Here, we discuss the potential barriers to effective, practicalCFM-informed tES use. Recent Findings: CFMhas progressed from models based on concentric spheres to gyri-precise headmodels derived from individual MRI scans. Users can now estimate the intensityof electrical fields (E-fields), their spatial extent, and the direction ofcurrent flow in a target brain region during tES. Here. we consider the multi-dimensionalchallenge of implementing CFM to optimise stimulation dose: this requiresinformed decisions to prioritise E-field characteristics most likely to resultin desired stimulation outcomes, though the physiological consequences of themodelled current flow are often unknown. Second, we address the issue of adisconnect between predictions of E-field characteristics provided by CFMs andpredictions of the physiological consequences of stimulation which CFMs are notdesigned to address. Third, we discuss how ongoing development of CFM inconjunction with other modelling approaches could overcome these challengeswhile maintaining accessibility for widespread use. Summary: Theincreasing complexity and sophistication of CFM is a mandatory step towards dosecontrol and precise, individualised delivery of tES. However, it also riskscounteracting the appeal of tES as a straightforward, cost-effective tool forneuromodulation, particularly in clinical settings.

Type: Article
Title: A Future of Current Flow Modelling for Transcranial Electrical Stimulation?
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1007/s40473-021-00238-5
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-021-00238-5
Language: English
Additional information: Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Keywords: Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), Current flow modelling (CFM), Neurophysiology, Therapeutic tES, Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS)
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Clinical and Movement Neurosciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10138983
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