The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of non-invasive temporal interference stimulation (TIS) targeting the striatum on sentence processing and brain connectivity in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
The study aims to investigate the immediate effects of non-invasive temporal interference stimulation (TIS) targeting the deep structures of the fronto-striatal circuit involved in language processing. The research focuses on patients with neurodegenerative diseases who often suffer from communication deficits and impaired sentence comprehension. Participants will undergo a cross-over design consisting of a single session of active TIS directed at the striatum and a session of placebo stimulation. The stimulation will be administered in a randomized order. The duration of the stimulation is approximately 20 minutes. During the stimulation, participants will perform a sentence comprehension task. Resting-state fMRI measurements will be taken before and after the stimulation to evaluate offline effects on brain connectivity and potential neuroplasticity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
70
Non-invasive brain interference stimulation applied for approximately 20 minutes while the participant performs a sentence comprehension task.
Placebo stimulation applied for approximately 20 minutes while the participant performs a sentence comprehension task.
CEITEC MU (Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University)
Brno, South Moravian, Czechia
RECRUITINGChanges in Task-Related Brain Activation
Assessment of the immediate offline effects of the prior stimulation on brain activation in language and fronto-striatal networks. This is measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during an fMRI-adapted language task immediately after the stimulation session. The Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal acquired following active TIS will be compared to the signal acquired following placebo (sham) TIS.
Time frame: Immediately following the 20-minute stimulation session (approximately 0 to 30 minutes post-stimulation).
Changes in Resting-State Functional Connectivity
Evaluation of short-term neuroplasticity and network-level changes induced by the stimulation. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data acquired immediately after the active TIS session will be compared to rs-fMRI data acquired after the placebo (sham) TIS session to identify changes in functional connectivity between the targeted striatum and broader cortical language networks.
Time frame: Immediately following the 20-minute stimulation session (approximately 0 to 30 minutes post-stimulation).
Behavioral Performance in Sentence Comprehension Task
Evaluation of language processing measured by accuracy (number or percentage of correct responses) and reaction time (in milliseconds) during the Sentence Comprehension Task. This task is completed by the participant concurrently with the administration of either active Temporal Interference Stimulation (TIS) or placebo (sham) TIS outside of the MRI scanner.
Time frame: During the approximately 20-minute stimulation intervention.
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