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Noninvasive brain stimulation: from physiology to network dynamics and back

Nature Neuroscience volume 16, pages 838–844 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques have been widely used for studying the physiology of the CNS, identifying the functional role of specific brain structures and, more recently, exploring large-scale network dynamics. Here we review key findings that contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the physiological and behavioral effects of these techniques. We highlight recent innovations using noninvasive stimulation to investigate global brain network dynamics and organization. New combinations of these techniques, in conjunction with neuroimaging, will further advance the utility of their application.

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Figure 1: Typical NIBS setups.
Figure 2: TMS protocols.
Figure 3: Probing cortical network dynamics with NIBS.
Figure 4: Stimulation focality of tDCS.

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Acknowledgements

We thank S.-L. Liew for suggestions. This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS; US National Institutes of Health) and by funding from US Department of Defense in the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine to M.S. and E.R.B. N.C. was supported by an NINDS Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award.

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  1. Eran Dayan, Nitzan Censor and Ethan R Buch: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Eran Dayan, Nitzan Censor, Ethan R Buch, Marco Sandrini & Leonardo G Cohen

  2. Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Ethan R Buch & Marco Sandrini

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  1. Eran Dayan
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Dayan, E., Censor, N., Buch, E. et al. Noninvasive brain stimulation: from physiology to network dynamics and back. Nat Neurosci 16, 838–844 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3422

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