We are honored to be on the cover of the very special issue of Neuroimage focused on “Neuro-enhancement.”
The introduction by editors Vince Clark and Raja Parasuraman is here
Our paper in this issue on fMRI imaging of tDCS effects post-mortem is here: Antal_Bikson_2013
“Too good to be true? tDCS applications in cognitive performance, neurology, and psychiatry.”
Friday Dec 13, 2013, 1:30-2:30pm, NIL Conference Room #2311, East Building (4525 Scott Avenue)
“Presenting the second lecture in a series of three on the topic of trans-cranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), organized by Dr. Jeffrey Zacks, and funded by the McDonnell CSN. Guest Lecturer, Marom Bikson, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The City College of New York of CUNY. Prof. Bikson graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (EE Concentration), received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and completed his Post-Doctoral research in the Neurophysiology Unit at the University of Birmingham Medical School. Professor Bikson’s research group studies the effects of electricity on the human body and applies this knowledge toward the development of medical devices and electrical safety guidelines.”
ANCP 52nd Annual Meeting (Hollywood Florida)
Integrative Track – Panel Session 4: At the Crossroads of Physics, Physiology, and Psychiatry: Rational Design of Noninvasive Neuromodulation Therapies
12/10/2013 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM Room: Atlantic Ballroom 2
Sarah Lisanby, M.D. Duke University Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Durham, North Carolina
Zafiris J. Daskalakis, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto
Marom Bikson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York
Angel V. Peterchev, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University
Flavio Frohlich, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Bruce Luber, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
A rational approach to dosing is crucial to the clinical optimization of approved (TMS, dTMS) and investigational (tDCS, tACS, novel forms of ECT/MST) noninvasive neuromodulation therapies. Brain stimulation ‘dose’ is multifactorial, encompassing spatial components of the stimulus field distribution in the brain, and temporal components of the pulse waveform and train dynamics. The development of novel flexible stimulation devices has increased the complexity of optimizing dosage. This panel will show how computational modeling, physiology, and in vivo preparations can be applied to systematically study the parameter space and derive basic dose/response relationships. Results point to rational approaches for dose individualization using noninvasive biomarkers, modeling, and/or structural and functional imaging . Dr. Bikson will present methods to focus tDCS using electrode arrays (High-Definition tDCS) and by integrating tDCS with cognitive therapy. Dr. Peterchev will address how recent device and modeling developments enable optimization of the stimulus dose, and how to rationally individualize dose, using examples from modeling and preclinical studies. Dr. Frohlich will show how the integration of electrophysiological and computational approaches can address the fundamental question of how brain stimulation affects the dynamics of large-scale neuronal networks. In particular, he will show how resonance enables the targeted enhancement of cortical oscillations that mediate cognitive function. Dr. Luber will introduce the concept of covariance-modeled fMRI to individualize TMS coil placement, including a series of studies employing this personalized approach to enhance working memory. Dr. Daskalakis will discuss the relevance of these approaches to the clinical application of noninvasive neuromodulation therapies, and remaining questions to advance this burgeoning field.
Simpleware provides world-leading software solutions for the conversion of 3D images (as obtained from MRI, CT, Micro-CT for example) into high quality Finite Element, CAD and Rapid Prototyping models. The Neural Engineering Lab has pioneered the process of resolution modeling of TDCS and Simpleware features this here
The causal role of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in human episodic memory
Marco Sandrini, NINDS-NIH
Episodic memory is a neurocognitive (brain/mind) system that enables human beings to remember past experiences. Previous neuroimaging studies have shown the involvement of dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC) in this type of memory. In this talk, I will provide Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation evidence that this brain region plays a causal role in episodic memory. In a series of studies I will show findings showing the contribution of left DLPFC to encoding and of right DLPC to retrieval. Finally I will show a recent study about reconsolidation, showing that right DLPFC plays a critical role in strengthening of episodic memory. I will conclude indicating future studies in this research field and the possibility to use reconsolidation as an new opportunity to modify existing episodic memories, an issue of critical clinical impact.
Time / Location
Dec. 4, 12:15 P.M., MR/801
Peter Toshev (NYCneuromodulation director) and Marom Bikson (conference chair). Many more details coming soon at http://nycneuromodulation.com/
ElMindA & Soterix (Collaboration) one of ten international finalists!
About one third of the world’s population suffers from acute or chronic pain with the effects of pain exact a tremendous cost on health systems and impose emotional and financial burden on patients. Diagnostic and clinical management of pain still heavily rely on clinical symptoms and patient’s subjective reporting while the common treatment for pain is not based on personally customized pain relief. This project (based on a multi-national collaboration including CCNY, Soterix, Elminda, and Harvard Medical) aims to develop a closed loop pain treatment platform, with the goal of offering a focused, specific and personalized approach for the effective treatment of pain.
Marom Bikson (CCNY) and Ronen Gadot (Elminda)
This week we have two neural engineering talks at CCNY:
Elissa Aminoff, Carnegie Mellon University
Tuesday Oct 22, Talk at 1pm-2PM, NAC 6/141 “Intrinsic associative processing in scene perception”
Dennis Sparta, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Wednesday Oct 23, Talk at 3pm-4pm, Steinman 402. “Dissecting the Neural Circuits that Mediate Motivated Behavior.”
S.K. Kessler, A.J. Woods, P. Minhas, A.R. Rosen, C. Gorman, M. Bikson. Dosage considerations for transcranial direct current stimulation in children: a computational modeling study. PLoS ONE 8(9): e76112. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0076112
Free online access here
Abstract:
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is being widely investigated in adults as a therapeutic modality for brain disorders involving abnormal cortical excitability or disordered network activity. Interest is also growing in studying tDCS in children. Limited empirical studies in children suggest that tDCS is well tolerated and may have a similar safety profile as in adults. However, in electrotherapy as in pharmacotherapy, dose selection in children requires special attention, and simple extrapolation from adult studies may be inadequate. Critical aspects of dose adjustment include 1) differences in neurophysiology and disease, and 2) variation in brain electric fields for a specified dose due to gross anatomical differences between children and adults. In this study, we used high-resolution MRI derived finite element modeling simulations of two healthy children, ages 8 years and 12 years, and three healthy adults with varying head size to compare differences in electric field intensity and distribution. Multiple conventional and high-definition tDCS montages were tested. Our results suggest that on average, children will be exposed to higher peak electrical fields for a given applied current intensity than adults, but there is likely to be overlap between adults with smaller head size and children. In addition, exposure is montage specific. Variations in peak electrical fields were seen between the two pediatric models, despite comparable head size, suggesting that the relationship between neuroanatomic factors and bioavailable current dose is not trivial. In conclusion, caution is advised in using higher tDCS doses in children until 1) further modeling studies in a larger group shed light on the range of exposure possible by applied dose and age and 2) further studies correlate bioavailable dose estimates from modeling studies with empirically tested physiologic effects, such as modulation of motor evoked potentials after stimulation.
Three papers published in Frontiers of Neuroscience by CCNY Neural Engineering addressing current issues, idea, and challenges in non-invasive brain stimulation:
Berker AO, Bikson M, Bestmann S. Predicting the behavioural impact of transcranial direct current stimulation: issues and limitations Frontiers of Human Neuroscience 2013; doi 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00613 Journal Link
Rahman A, Bikson M. Origins of specificity during tDCS: anatomical, activity-selective, and input-bias mechanisms Frontiers of Human Neuroscience 2013; doi 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00688 Journal Link
Reato D, Rahman A, Bikson M, Parra LC. Effects of weak transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on brain activity – a review of known mechanisms from animal studies. Frontiers of Human Neuroscience 2013; doi 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00687 Journal Link PDF: Bikson_tACSreview
Prof. Marom Bikson was among scientists recognized at the 2013 Biomedical Engineering Society Meeting for the Wallace H Coulter foundation Translational Award. Dr. Bikson was supported by the Coulter Foundation to develop High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation which was commercialized by Soterix Medical Inc.
Nature. 2013 Sep 12;501(7466):167. doi: 10.1038/501167b.
Neuroscience: Transcranial devices are not playthings.
Bikson M, Bestmann S, Edwards D.
Comment on: Brain blast. [Nature. 2013]
Read full text here: Transcranial devices are not playthings_Nature 2013
Journal of Neuroscience Methods 219 (2013) p297-311
Classification of methods in transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) and evolving strategy from historical approaches to contemporary innovations
Berkan Guleyupoglu, Pedro Schestatsky, Dylan Edwards, Felipe Fregni, Marom Bikson
Full text: JNeuroscienceMethods_TEShistory_2013
Abstract: Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) encompasses all methods of non-invasive current application to the brain used in research and clinical practice. We present the first comprehensive and techni- cal review, explaining the evolution of tES in both terminology and dosage over the past 100 years of research to present day. Current transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) approaches such as Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) descended from Electrosleep (ES) through Cranial Electro-stimulation Therapy (CET), Transcerebral Electrotherapy (TCET), and NeuroElectric Therapy (NET) while others like Transcutaneous Cranial Electrical Stimulation (TCES) descended from Electroanesthesia (EA) through Limoge, and Interferential Stimulation. Prior to a contemporary resurgence in interest, variations of trans- cranial Direct Current Stimulation were explored intermittently, including Polarizing current, Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS), and Transcranial Micropolarization. The development of these approaches alongside Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and pharmacological developments are considered. Both the roots and unique features of contemporary approaches such as transcranial Alternating Current Stimu- lation (tACS) and transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS) are discussed. Trends and incremental developments in electrode montage and waveform spanning decades are presented leading to the present day. Commercial devices, seminal conferences, and regulatory decisions are noted. We conclude with six rules on how increasing medical and technological sophistication may now be leveraged for broader success and adoption of tES.
NYC Neuromodulation 2013 brings together pioneers and emerging innovations in Transcranial Electrical Stimulation. Cutting edge research, clinical trials, and techniques are introduced in a dynamic and interactive format. Learn how the field developed to its current state and the outlook for the next five years. Technologies covered include transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNCS), and High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS). Topics covered include design of clinical trials, integration with monitoring technologies (EEG), and deployable technology. Broad opportunities to network, sponsor exhibits, two large poster sessions, two panel discussions, social event and a certification course provide plenty of networking and educational opportunities. The conference is chaired by Dr. Marom Bikson and hosted at the historic City College of New York in New York City.
More info here. Conference WILL sell out to reserve your space ASAP LINK
Special CCNY BME Seminar: William J. Tyler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and Assistant Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech
“A Cellular Mechanical Approach to Non-Invasively Modulating Brain Activity With Transcranial Pulsed Ultrasound.”
The seminar will be held on September 11, 2013 at 3:00 PM in Steinman Hall, Room ST-402. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Grove School of Engineering The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue New York, NY 10031
The Journal Club is back! Every Friday at 2pm in the conference room on the 5th floor in Steinman Hall.
Archy O. De Berker (1), Marom Bikson (2) and Sven Bestmann (1)
1 Sobell Department for Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, United Kingdom
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York of CUNY, US
Abstract
The transcranial application of weak currents to the human brain has enjoyed a decade of success, providing a simple and powerful tool for non-invasively altering human brain function. However, our understanding of current delivery and its impact upon neural circuitry leaves much to be desired. We argue that the credibility of conclusions drawn with tDCS is contingent upon realistic explanations of how tDCS works, and that our present understanding of tDCS limits the technique’s use to localize function in the human brain. We outline two central issues where progress is required: the localization of currents, and predicting their functional consequence. We encourage experimenters to eschew simplistic explanations of mechanisms of transcranial current stimulation. We suggest the use of individualized current modelling, together with computational neurostimulation to inform mechanistic frameworks in which to interpret the physiological impact of tDCS. We hope that through mechanistically richer descriptions of current flow and action, insight into the biological processes by which transcranial currents influence behaviour can be gained, leading to more effective stimulation protocols and empowering conclusions drawn with tDCS.
Frontier link
This article is part of a special issue in Frontiers edited by Marom Bikson and Shennan Weiss.
M. F. Villamar, P. Wivatvongvana, J.Patumanond, M. Bikson, D.Q. Truong, A. Datta, F. Fregni. Focal modulation of primary motor cortex in Fibromyalgia using 4×1-Ring High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS): Immediate and delayed analgesic effects of cathodal and anodal stimulation. J Pain, 2013; 14(4): 371-83 – Can be downloaded here: Villamar_Bikson_Focal_Modulation_HDtDCS_Pain_2013
H.I. Kuo, A. Datta, M. Bikson, P. Minhas. W. Paulus, M.F. Kuo, M.A. Nitsche Comparing cortical plasticity induced by conventional and high-definition 4×1 ring tDCS: a neurophysiological study. Brain Stimulation. 2013 6(4):644-8 Can be downloaded here: Kuo_Bikson_HDtDCS_Cortical_Plasticity_BrainStimulation_2013
and
Watch the new HD-tDCS methods video
HERE: JOVE
M.F. Villamar, M.S. Volz, A. Datta, M. Bikson, A.F. DaSilva, F. Fregni. Technique and Considerations in the Use of 4×1 Ring High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) JOVE 2013 (77) doi: 10.3791/50309.
Jacek P. Dmochowski, Abhishek Datta, Yu Huang, Jessica D. Richardson, Marom Bikson, Julius Fridriksson, Lucas C. Parra
City College of New York, New York, NY, USA, Soterix Medical, New York, NY, USA, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
Abstract: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is being investigated as an adjunctive technique to behavioral rehabilitation treatment after stroke. The conventional “dosage”, consisting of a large (25 cm2) anode over the target with the cathode over the contralateral hemisphere, has been previously shown to yield broadly distributed electric fields whose intensities at the target region are less than maximal. Here, we report the results of a systematic targeting procedure with small “high-definition” electrodes that was used in preparation for a pilot study on 8 stroke patients with chronic aphasia. We employ functional and anatomical magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI/MRI) to define a target and optimize (with respect to the electric field magnitude at the target) the electrode configuration, respectively, and demonstrate that electric field strengths in targeted cortex can be substantially increased (63%) over the conventional approach. The optimal montage exhibits significant variation across subjects as well as when perturbing the target location within a subject. However, for each displacement of the target co-ordinates, the algorithm is able to determine a montage which delivers a consistent amount of current to that location. These results demonstrate that MRI-based models of current flow yield maximal stimulation of target structures, and as such, may aid in reliably assessing the efficacy of tDCS in neuro-rehabilitation.
Read the full paper here
