Attempts to enhance human memory and learning ability have a long tradition in science. This topic has recently gained substantial attention because of the increasing percentage of older individuals worldwide and the predicted rise of age-associated cognitive decline in brain functions. Transcranial brain stimulation methods, such as transcranial magnetic (TMS) and transcranial electric (tES) stimulation, have been extensively used in an effort to improve cognitive functions in humans. Here we summarize the available data on low-intensity tES for this purpose, in comparison to repetitive TMS and some pharmacological agents, such as caffeine and nicotine. There is no single area in the brain stimulation field in which only positive outcomes have been reported. For self-directed tES devices, how to restrict variability with regard to efficacy is an essential aspect of device design and function. As with any technique, reproducible outcomes depend on the equipment and how well this is matched to the experience and skill of the operator. For self-administered non-invasive brain stimulation, this requires device designs that rigorously incorporate human operator factors. The wide parameter space of non-invasive brain stimulation, including dose (e.g., duration, intensity (current density), number of repetitions), inclusion/exclusion (e.g., subject's age), and homeostatic effects, administration of tasks before and during stimulation, and, most importantly, placebo or nocebo effects, have to be taken into account. The outcomes of stimulation are expected to depend on these parameters and should be strictly controlled. The consensus among experts is that low-intensity tES is safe as long as tested and accepted protocols (including, for example, dose, inclusion/exclusion) are followed and devices are used which follow established engineering risk-management procedures. Devices and protocols that allow stimulation outside these parameters cannot claim to be “safe” where they are applying stimulation beyond that examined in published studies that also investigated potential side effects. Brain stimulation devices marketed for consumer use are distinct from medical devices because they do not make medical claims and are therefore not necessarily subject to the same level of regulation as medical devices (i.e., by government agencies tasked with regulating medical devices). Manufacturers must follow ethical and best practices in marketing tES stimulators, including not misleading users by referencing effects from human trials using devices and protocols not similar to theirs.

Non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroenhancement / Antal, A.; Luber, B.; Brem, A. -K.; Bikson, M.; Brunoni, A. R.; Cohen Kadosh, R.; Dubljevic, V.; Fecteau, S.; Ferreri, F.; Floel, A.; Hallett, M.; Hamilton, R. H.; Herrmann, C. S.; Lavidor, M.; Loo, C.; Lustenberger, C.; Machado, S.; Miniussi, C.; Moliadze, V.; Nitsche, M. A.; Rossi, S.; Rossini, P. M.; Santarnecchi, E.; Seeck, M.; Thut, G.; Turi, Z.; Ugawa, Y.; Venkatasubramanian, G.; Wenderoth, N.; Wexler, A.; Ziemann, U.; Paulus, W.. - In: CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE. - ISSN 2467-981X. - 7:(2022), pp. 146-165. [10.1016/j.cnp.2022.05.002]

Non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroenhancement

Miniussi C.;Thut G.;Turi Z.;
2022-01-01

Abstract

Attempts to enhance human memory and learning ability have a long tradition in science. This topic has recently gained substantial attention because of the increasing percentage of older individuals worldwide and the predicted rise of age-associated cognitive decline in brain functions. Transcranial brain stimulation methods, such as transcranial magnetic (TMS) and transcranial electric (tES) stimulation, have been extensively used in an effort to improve cognitive functions in humans. Here we summarize the available data on low-intensity tES for this purpose, in comparison to repetitive TMS and some pharmacological agents, such as caffeine and nicotine. There is no single area in the brain stimulation field in which only positive outcomes have been reported. For self-directed tES devices, how to restrict variability with regard to efficacy is an essential aspect of device design and function. As with any technique, reproducible outcomes depend on the equipment and how well this is matched to the experience and skill of the operator. For self-administered non-invasive brain stimulation, this requires device designs that rigorously incorporate human operator factors. The wide parameter space of non-invasive brain stimulation, including dose (e.g., duration, intensity (current density), number of repetitions), inclusion/exclusion (e.g., subject's age), and homeostatic effects, administration of tasks before and during stimulation, and, most importantly, placebo or nocebo effects, have to be taken into account. The outcomes of stimulation are expected to depend on these parameters and should be strictly controlled. The consensus among experts is that low-intensity tES is safe as long as tested and accepted protocols (including, for example, dose, inclusion/exclusion) are followed and devices are used which follow established engineering risk-management procedures. Devices and protocols that allow stimulation outside these parameters cannot claim to be “safe” where they are applying stimulation beyond that examined in published studies that also investigated potential side effects. Brain stimulation devices marketed for consumer use are distinct from medical devices because they do not make medical claims and are therefore not necessarily subject to the same level of regulation as medical devices (i.e., by government agencies tasked with regulating medical devices). Manufacturers must follow ethical and best practices in marketing tES stimulators, including not misleading users by referencing effects from human trials using devices and protocols not similar to theirs.
2022
Antal, A.; Luber, B.; Brem, A. -K.; Bikson, M.; Brunoni, A. R.; Cohen Kadosh, R.; Dubljevic, V.; Fecteau, S.; Ferreri, F.; Floel, A.; Hallett, M.; Ham...espandi
Non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroenhancement / Antal, A.; Luber, B.; Brem, A. -K.; Bikson, M.; Brunoni, A. R.; Cohen Kadosh, R.; Dubljevic, V.; Fecteau, S.; Ferreri, F.; Floel, A.; Hallett, M.; Hamilton, R. H.; Herrmann, C. S.; Lavidor, M.; Loo, C.; Lustenberger, C.; Machado, S.; Miniussi, C.; Moliadze, V.; Nitsche, M. A.; Rossi, S.; Rossini, P. M.; Santarnecchi, E.; Seeck, M.; Thut, G.; Turi, Z.; Ugawa, Y.; Venkatasubramanian, G.; Wenderoth, N.; Wexler, A.; Ziemann, U.; Paulus, W.. - In: CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE. - ISSN 2467-981X. - 7:(2022), pp. 146-165. [10.1016/j.cnp.2022.05.002]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Clinph_practice Antal et al 2022.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Post-print referato (Refereed author’s manuscript)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 684.48 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
684.48 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/364712
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 37
  • Scopus 67
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 65
social impact