Coordination Funds

非侵入性经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）最近在实验和临床科学中受到了极大的关注，因为它可以在没有明显副作用的情况下调节人脑功能。然而，尽管广泛和经常成功地使用了这种技术，很少有系统的研究，以潜在的机制，经常观察到的高度可变的效应tDCS已经完成。目前，这导致这项有前途的技术在实验和临床环境中的应用不理想。拟议的研究单位（RU）的总体目标是通过由各自领域的领先专家组成的多学科互补团队，以系统、全面和协调的方式首次调查tDCS的影响，以解决这一知识差距。由于其与实验和转化研究的特殊相关性，人类学习和记忆功能将作为研究tDCS在四个功能领域（即视觉空间、语言、运动和执行）和整个人类寿命中的影响的模型。8个实证项目（项目P1-8，每个领域2个）将采用比较的方法，个性化和针对性刺激，高度控制的实验环境，以及tDCS在并发功能成像中的应用，研究刺激反应的行为和神经机制以及预测因素。两个总体项目（P9, P10）将：(1)使用在经验项目中获得的大型协调数据集将个性化电流的生物物理模型的结果与行为和神经调节联系起来；(2)通过使用体内磁电流密度成像测量交叉验证和改进电流模拟。期末项目（P11）将涉及使用先进的数据挖掘方法（即机器学习，人工智能）进行宏观层面的分析，以揭示跨项目，功能领域和人类寿命的tDCS对行为和大脑功能的共同和差异影响和预测因素。RU内的协作活动将通过协调项目来促进，该项目还负责跨项目数据管理和共享，并坚持该领域的最高标准。总之，拟议的RU将对整个人类生命周期的tDCS反应的神经机制和预测因素产生基本的见解，从而为电流改变神经活动的作用机制的理论概念提供信息。从方法论的角度来看，我们将能够使用前所未有的数据集优化和验证当前流动的生物物理模型。总之，这将大大推进tDCS在健康和疾病方面的未来实验和转化应用。

Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently received substantial attention in experimental and clinical science, because it allows modulation of human brain function without significant adverse effects. However, despite widespread and often successful use of this technique, little systematic research into the mechanisms underlying frequently observed highly variable effects of tDCS has been accomplished. Currently, this results in suboptimal use of this promising technique in experimental and clinical contexts. The overarching objective of the proposed Research Unit (RU) is to address this knowledge gap by investigating tDCS effects for the first time in a systematic, comprehensive and coordinated way, by a multidisciplinary and complementary team of leading experts in their respective fields. Due to its exceptional relevance for experimental and translational research, human learning and memory function will serve as a model to study tDCS effects across four functional domains (i.e., visual-spatial, language, motor, and executive) and across the human lifespan. Eight empirical projects (Projects P1-8; two per domain) will use comparable methods, individualized and targeted stimulation, highly controlled experimental settings, and tDCS application during concurrent functional imaging to investigate behavioral and neural mechanisms and predictors of stimulation response. Two overarching projects (P9, P10) will (1) relate the outcomes of biophysical models of individualized current flow to behavioral and neural modulations using the large, coordinated dataset acquired in the empirical projects and (2) cross-validate and improve current flow simulations by using in-vivo magnetic current density imaging measurements. A final project (P11) will be concerned with macro-level analyses using advanced data mining methods (i.e., machine learning, artificial intelligence) to reveal shared and differential effects and predictors of tDCS effects on behavior and brain function across projects, functional domains, and the human lifespan. Collaborative activities within the RU will be facilitated by the coordination project that is also responsible for cross-project data management and sharing by adhering to highest standards in the field.In sum, the proposed RU will generate fundamental insights into the neural mechanisms and predictors of tDCS response across the human lifespan, thereby informing theoretical concepts of the mechanisms-of-action by which current flow alters neural activity. From a methodological point of view, we will be able to optimize and validate biophysical models of current flow using an unprecedented dataset. Together, this will substantially advance future experimental and translational applications of tDCS in health and disease.