Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether monopolar multi-electrode transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) montages might selectively affect deep brain structures through computational predictions and neurophysiological assessment.
METHODS: Electric field distribution in deep brain structures (i.e., thalamus and midbrain) were estimated through computational models simulating tDCS with two monopolar and two monopolar multi-electrode montages. Monopolar multi-electrode tDCS was then applied to healthy subject, and effects on pontine and medullary circuitries was evaluated studying changes in blink reflex (BR) and masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR).
RESULTS: Computational results suggest that tDCS with monopolar multi-electrode montages might induce electric field intensities in deep brain structure comparable to those in grey matter, while neurophysiological results disclosed that BR and MIR were selectively modulated by tDCS only when cathode was placed over the right deltoid.
CONCLUSIONS: Multi-electrode tDCS (anodes over motor cortices, cathode over right deltoid) could induce significant electric fields in the thalamus and midbrain, and selectively affect brainstem neural circuits.
CONCLUSIONS: Multi-electrode tDCS (anodes over motor cortices, cathode over right deltoid) might be further explored to affect brainstem activity, also in the context of non-invasive deep brain stimulation.
METHODS: Electric field distribution in deep brain structures (i.e., thalamus and midbrain) were estimated through computational models simulating tDCS with two monopolar and two monopolar multi-electrode montages. Monopolar multi-electrode tDCS was then applied to healthy subject, and effects on pontine and medullary circuitries was evaluated studying changes in blink reflex (BR) and masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR).
RESULTS: Computational results suggest that tDCS with monopolar multi-electrode montages might induce electric field intensities in deep brain structure comparable to those in grey matter, while neurophysiological results disclosed that BR and MIR were selectively modulated by tDCS only when cathode was placed over the right deltoid.
CONCLUSIONS: Multi-electrode tDCS (anodes over motor cortices, cathode over right deltoid) could induce significant electric fields in the thalamus and midbrain, and selectively affect brainstem neural circuits.
CONCLUSIONS: Multi-electrode tDCS (anodes over motor cortices, cathode over right deltoid) might be further explored to affect brainstem activity, also in the context of non-invasive deep brain stimulation.
摘要：
目的：通过计算预测和神经生理学评估，评估单极多电极经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）蒙太奇是否可能选择性地影响脑深部结构。
方法：大脑深层结构中的电场分布（即，丘脑和中脑）是通过模拟具有两个单极和两个单极多电极蒙太奇的tDCS的计算模型来估计的。然后将单极多电极tDCS应用于健康受试者，研究眨眼反射（BR）和咬肌抑制反射（MIR）的变化，评估了对脑桥和髓质回路的影响。
结果：计算结果表明，具有单极多电极蒙太奇的tDCS可能会在深部脑结构中诱发与灰质相当的电场强度，而神经生理学结果表明，仅当阴极放置在右三角肌上时，BR和MIR才被tDCS选择性调节。
结论：多电极tDCS(马达皮质上的阳极，右侧三角肌上的阴极）可以在丘脑和中脑中引起明显的电场，并选择性地影响脑干神经回路。
结论：多电极tDCS(马达皮质上的阳极，右侧三角肌上方的阴极)可能会进一步探索以影响脑干活动，也在非侵入性深部脑刺激的背景下。
方法：大脑深层结构中的电场分布（即，丘脑和中脑）是通过模拟具有两个单极和两个单极多电极蒙太奇的tDCS的计算模型来估计的。然后将单极多电极tDCS应用于健康受试者，研究眨眼反射（BR）和咬肌抑制反射（MIR）的变化，评估了对脑桥和髓质回路的影响。
结果：计算结果表明，具有单极多电极蒙太奇的tDCS可能会在深部脑结构中诱发与灰质相当的电场强度，而神经生理学结果表明，仅当阴极放置在右三角肌上时，BR和MIR才被tDCS选择性调节。
结论：多电极tDCS(马达皮质上的阳极，右侧三角肌上的阴极）可以在丘脑和中脑中引起明显的电场，并选择性地影响脑干神经回路。
结论：多电极tDCS(马达皮质上的阳极，右侧三角肌上方的阴极)可能会进一步探索以影响脑干活动，也在非侵入性深部脑刺激的背景下。
