Development and implementation of a standardized methodology aiming to optimize the efficacy and reproducibility of findings using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in the context of motor training

开发和实施标准化方法，旨在优化运动训练背景下使用非侵入性脑刺激技术的结果的功效和可重复性

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-05026
• 负责人: DeBeaumont, Louis
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: Université de Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=714275
• 关键词: Development; implementation; standardized; methodology; aiming

Brain functions such as perception and cognition can be modulated as a function of oscillating neural activity. Recent years have witnessed the emergence of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques using electrical currents capable of modulating neuronal activity so as to either facilitate or inhibit brain plasticity, which refers to the ability of the brain to change/adapt to one's environment. The applied currents can either be constant over time, as is the case with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), or they can alternate at a given frequency, which is referred to as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). TDCS and tACS are believed to non-invasively modulate neural mechanisms of plasticity, which, when applied over a targeted brain region, can promote underlying brain function. Technology acquisition and operation costs of tDCS/tACS are very accessible with minimal adverse events, making these painless techniques appealing if we are seeking to improve brain function. Despite the accumulation of acquired data with tDCS and tACS, a methodological consensus has not yet been reached concerning neither of these techniques. The lack of methodological gold standard is in part responsible for the concerning reproducibility failures which currently undermines the clinical use of these technologies. The overarching objective of this program is therefore to lay the ground for establishing a standardized methodology aiming to optimize the efficacy and reproducibility of findings using NIBS techniques. The present program is organized into three incremental steps toward implementing optimized non-invasive brain stimulation protocols with the aim to ensure reliable results and systematic improvement of the field. The impact of the present research program are fivefold: (1) a- for researchers who are using non-invasive brain stimulation technologies, to provide them with a standardized methodology with which to improve the reliability of their own protocol; b- to work collaboratively with other researchers in the field in order to constantly improve the proposed optimization process and develop reproducible research findings and more efficient brain stimulation protocols for the benefit of healthy and clinical populations; (2) for funding agencies, to support more rigorous grant application and training of highly qualified personnel with non-invasive brain stimulation technologies to foster its scientific & economic potential; (3) for clinical populations which will benefit from optimized intervention approach aiming to improve their health; (4) for clinicians who will be provided with tools to make better informed, evidence-based decisions on the pertinence of adding non-invasive brain stimulation to their therapeutic arsenal in well-defined clinical contexts; and (5) for the healthcare system, to improve, via the proposed optimizaton methodology, cost-efficiency of non-invasive brain stimulation intervention.

大脑功能，如感知和认知，可以作为振荡神经活动的函数进行调节。近年来已经见证了使用能够调节神经元活动的电流的非侵入性脑刺激技术的出现，以便促进或抑制脑可塑性，脑可塑性是指大脑改变/适应环境的能力。所施加的电流可以随时间恒定，如经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）的情况，或者它们可以以给定频率交替，这被称为经颅交流电刺激（tACS）。TDCS和tACS被认为是非侵入性地调节可塑性的神经机制，当应用于目标脑区域时，可以促进潜在的脑功能。tDCS/tACS的技术获取和操作成本非常低，不良事件最少，如果我们寻求改善大脑功能，这些无痛技术就很有吸引力。尽管积累了tDCS和tACS的采集数据，但尚未就这两种技术达成方法学共识。缺乏方法学金标准是造成目前破坏这些技术的临床使用的有关再现性故障的部分原因。 因此，该计划的总体目标是为建立一个标准化的方法奠定基础，旨在优化使用NIBS技术的结果的有效性和再现性。本计划分为三个渐进步骤，旨在实施优化的非侵入性脑刺激方案，以确保可靠的结果和该领域的系统改进。 本研究计划的影响有五个方面：（1）a-对于使用非侵入性脑刺激技术的研究人员，为他们提供标准化的方法，以提高他们自己的协议的可靠性; B-与该领域的其他研究人员合作，以不断改进拟议的优化过程，并开发可重复的研究结果和更有效的脑刺激有利于健康和临床人群的协议;（2）对于资助机构，支持更严格的赠款申请和培训具有非侵入性脑刺激技术的高素质人员，以促进其科学和经济潜力;（3）对于临床人群，将受益于旨在改善其健康的优化干预方法;（4）为临床医生提供工具，以便在明确定义的临床环境中，就将非侵入性脑刺激添加到其治疗武器库的相关性做出更明智的循证决策;以及（5）对于医疗保健系统，通过提出的优化方法来提高无创脑刺激干预的成本效率。