From a dynamic systems theory point of view, this indicates nonlinearity, since a critical number of neurons need to organize their activity for an effect to occur. As a result, it can be hypothesized that endogenous electric fields are particularly important for helping groups of neurons maintain synchronized activity once they have entered such a state (where endogenous electric fields can have an effect, Figure 3). Such a mechanism would, therefore, increase the stability of rhythmic cortical

activity states. Second, endogenous electric fields may contribute to organizing cortical activity in space since electric fields can enhance activity in neighboring areas with hotspots of synchronized activity. Therefore, electric fields may expand Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical areas of synchronized cells and increase information flow between spatially more distant sites. Figure 3. Illustration Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of how sparse, nonsynchronized activity does not generate a pronounced electric field and therefore is likely unaltered by the proposed feedback between neuronal activity and electric fields. Synchronized activity generates a more pronounced … Rational design of noninvasive brain selleck chemicals stimulation Given the pronounced effects of very weak endogenous

electric fields on cortical network dynamics, it is clear that application of external electric fields may represent a promising brain stimulation modality. In fact, the last decade has seen the (re-) emergence of TCS,29,30 most often referred to Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical as tDCS due to the constant stimulation waveform typically used. TCS is a noninvasive brain stimulation modality where a weak electric current (typically 1 to 2 mA) is applied to the scalp by two saline-soaked sponge electrodes.31-35 Detailed modeling of the electric properties of the head and the brain have Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical determined the resulting electric field to be around 1 V/m36-37 and thus comparable in amplitude to the endogenous electric fields Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical discussed above. Importantly, TCS differs in many important aspects from

transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which applies spatially selleck chemical localized, suprathreshold perturbations by a stimulation current mediated by a time-varying magnetic field.38 Very little is known about the underlying mechanisms by which TCS alters GSK-3 brain function. The convergence of bottomup (effects of electric fields on neuronal activity) and top-down (develop clinically effective TCS paradigms) studies represents the basis for the rational design of novel stimulation paradigms. Indeed, one of the most major recent developments in TCS is the use of temporally structured waveforms such as in transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS, sine-wave stimulation current, recently reviewed in ref 39) and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS, bandpass filtered noise).40 Therefore, the use of mechanistic insights on the action of electric fields in the nervous system is proposed for the development of next-generation TCS paradigms with higher efficacy and more long-lasting treatment benefits.