Identification of brain functional connectivity during acute transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation: A 3T fMRI study.
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BORIS DOI
Date of Publication
January 2024
Publication Type
Article
Division/Institute
Contributor
Wöllner, Jens | |
Krebs, Jörg | |
Neuenschwander, Julia | |
Gunziger, Andrea | |
Hunkeler, Nadine | |
Abramovic, Mihael | |
Vallesi, Vanessa | |
Mahler, Jasmin | |
Verma, Rajeev K | |
Berger, Markus F | |
Wyss, Patrik O |
Subject(s)
Series
Neurourology and urodynamics
ISSN or ISBN (if monograph)
1520-6777
Publisher
Wiley
Language
English
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
37767637
Uncontrolled Keywords
Description
OBJECTIVES
A feasibility proof-of-concept study was conducted to assess the effects of acute tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) on the central nervous system in healthy volunteers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fourteen healthy volunteers were included in a prospective, single-site study conducted on a clinical 3T MRI scanner. Four scans of functional MRI, each lasting 6 min, were acquired: two resting-state fMRI scans (prior and following the TNS intervention) and in-between two fMRI scans, both consisting of alternating rest periods and noninvasive acute transcutaneous TNS (TTNS). Whole brain seed-based functional connectivity (FC) correlation analysis was performed comparing TTNS stimulation with rest periods. Cluster-level familywise error (FWE) corrected p and a minimal cluster size of 200 voxels were used to explore FC patterns.
RESULTS
Increased FC is reported between inferior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus with the precuneus as central receiving node. In addition, decreased FC in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and parahippocampal areas was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Altered FC is reported in areas which have been described to be also involved in lower urinary tract control. Although conducted with healthy controls, the assumption that the underlying therapeutic effect of TNS involves the central nervous system is supported and has to be further examined in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.
A feasibility proof-of-concept study was conducted to assess the effects of acute tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) on the central nervous system in healthy volunteers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fourteen healthy volunteers were included in a prospective, single-site study conducted on a clinical 3T MRI scanner. Four scans of functional MRI, each lasting 6 min, were acquired: two resting-state fMRI scans (prior and following the TNS intervention) and in-between two fMRI scans, both consisting of alternating rest periods and noninvasive acute transcutaneous TNS (TTNS). Whole brain seed-based functional connectivity (FC) correlation analysis was performed comparing TTNS stimulation with rest periods. Cluster-level familywise error (FWE) corrected p and a minimal cluster size of 200 voxels were used to explore FC patterns.
RESULTS
Increased FC is reported between inferior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus with the precuneus as central receiving node. In addition, decreased FC in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and parahippocampal areas was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Altered FC is reported in areas which have been described to be also involved in lower urinary tract control. Although conducted with healthy controls, the assumption that the underlying therapeutic effect of TNS involves the central nervous system is supported and has to be further examined in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.