%0 Journal Article
%T Network-targeted transcranial direct current stimulation of the hypothalamus appetite-control network: a feasibility study.
%A Ester-Nacke T
%A Berti K
%A Veit R
%A Dannecker C
%A Salvador R
%A Ruffini G
%A Heni M
%A Birkenfeld AL
%A Plewnia C
%A Preissl H
%A Kullmann S
%J Sci Rep
%V 14
%N 1
%D 2024 05 18
%M 38762574
%F 4.996
%R 10.1038/s41598-024-61852-3
%X 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.