Altering alpha-frequency brain oscillations with rapid analog feedback-driven neurostimulation

• Main Authors: Boggess, Matthew (Author), Rockhill, Alexander P. (Author), Miller, Earl K. (Author), Widge, Alik (Contributor), Mullen, Andrew C. (Contributor), Sheopory, Shivani (Contributor), Loonis, Roman Florian (Contributor), Freeman, Daniel (Contributor), Miller, Earl K (Contributor)
• Other Authors: Lincoln Laboratory (Contributor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (Contributor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Contributor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Research Laboratory of Electronics (Contributor), Picower Institute for Learning and Memory (Contributor)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science, 2019-02-19T18:59:55Z.
• Subjects: Article
• Online Access: Get fulltext

Oscillations of the brain's local field potential (LFP) may coordinate neural ensembles and brain networks. It has been difficult to causally test this model or to translate its implications into treatments, because there are few reliable ways to alter LFP oscillations. We developed a closed-loop analog circuit to enhance brain oscillations by feeding them back into cortex through phase-locked transcranial electrical stimulation. We tested the system in a rhesus macaque with chronically implanted electrode arrays, targeting 8-15 Hz (alpha) oscillations. Ten seconds of stimulation increased alpha oscillatory power for up to 1 second after stimulation offset. In contrast, open-loop stimulation decreased alpha power. There was no effect in the neighboring 15-30 Hz (beta) LFP rhythm or on a neighboring array that did not participate in closed-loop feedback. Analog closed-loop neurostimulation might thus be a useful strategy for altering brain oscillations, both for basic research and the treatment of neuropsychiatric disease.
MIT-MHG Strategic Initiative (grant)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Paul E. Gray Fellowship
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (MH109722 -01)
Dauten Family Foundation (Bipolar Fund at Harvard University)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Picower Innovation Fund
MIT Bose Fellowship Program