The Effects of Transcranial Stimulation on Language Related Large Scale Brain Networks

Kindler, Jochen; Hauf, Matinus; Hubl, Daniela (2017). The Effects of Transcranial Stimulation on Language Related Large Scale Brain Networks. Epileptologie, 34, pp. 31-37. Schweizerische Liga gegen Epilepsie

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The potential of brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), for therapeutic purposes in neurologic and psychiatric diseases is currently intensively investigated. The current article provides a framework about the nature of long term effects of TMS and tDCS, as seen after therapeutic brain stimulation. Using auditory verbal hallucinations as a specific example of language network computation error, we demonstrate that brain stimulation changes language network activity, simultaneously with clinical improvements. Furthermore, we show that these stimulation effects are propagated from the directly stimulated region to structurally and functionally connected remote areas. Thus, we conclude hypothesizing that brain stimulation induces neuronal plasticity via disrupting pathological network connectivity. This principle of action needs to be further investigated in epilepsy: as a diagnostic tool for the detection of essential nods (hubs) within the epileptic large scale network in the workup for disconnective surgergy and as a potential therapeutical option for modifying non-invasively the pathological activity within the epileptic network.

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