PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
The hypothalamus is the key regulator for energy homeostasis and is functionally connected to striatal and cortical regions vital for the inhibitory control of appetite. Hence, the ability to non-invasively modulate the hypothalamus network could open new ways for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Here, we tested a novel method for network-targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (net-tDCS) to influence the excitability of brain regions involved in the control of appetite. Based on the resting-state functional connectivity map of the hypothalamus, a 12-channel net-tDCS protocol was generated (Neuroelectrics Starstim system), which included anodal, cathodal and sham stimulation. Ten participants with overweight or obesity were enrolled in a sham-controlled, crossover study. During stimulation or sham control, participants completed a stop-signal task to measure inhibitory control. Overall, stimulation was well tolerated. Anodal net-tDCS resulted in faster stop signal reaction time (SSRT) compared to sham (p = 0.039) and cathodal net-tDCS (p = 0.042). Baseline functional connectivity of the target network correlated with SSRT after anodal compared to sham stimulation (p = 0.016). These preliminary data indicate that modulating hypothalamus functional network connectivity via net-tDCS may result in improved inhibitory control. Further studies need to evaluate the effects on eating behavior and metabolism.
摘要：
下丘脑是能量稳态的关键调节因子，在功能上与纹状体和皮质区域相连，对抑制食欲至关重要。因此，这种非侵入性调节下丘脑网络的能力可以为代谢性疾病的治疗开辟新的途径.这里,我们测试了一种新的网络靶向经颅直流电刺激(net-tDCS)方法,以影响与食欲控制有关的脑区的兴奋性.根据下丘脑的静息状态功能连接图，生成了12通道net-tDCS协议（神经电系统Starstim），其中包括阳极，阴极和假刺激。十名超重或肥胖的参与者参加了一项假对照，交叉研究。在刺激或假控制期间，参与者完成了测量抑制控制的停止信号任务.总的来说,刺激耐受性良好。与假手术（p=0.039）和阴极网tDCS（p=0.042）相比，阳极网tDCS导致更快的停止信号反应时间（SSRT）。与假刺激相比，阳极后目标网络的基线功能连通性与SSRT相关（p=0.016）。这些初步数据表明，通过net-tDCS调节下丘脑功能网络连接可能会改善抑制性控制。进一步的研究需要评估对饮食行为和新陈代谢的影响。
