Comparison of Frequency-Specific Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulations on Cognitive Function in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q3 PSYCHIATRY

Psychiatry Investigation Pub Date : 2025-09-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-12 DOI:10.30773/pi.2025.0057

Seungchan Park, Gwan Gyu Lee, Jiheon Kim, Do Hoon Kim

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Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of theta and gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on cognitive function and memory in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: The participants were assigned to one of three conditions: sham, theta (5 Hz), or gamma (40 Hz) tACS, targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for approximately 30 min. Cognitive tasks were conducted before and after stimulation, including the Digit Span and Trail Making Test A (TMT-A).

Results: The results indicated significant improvements in the gamma tACS group, specifically a reduction in TMT-A errors. In contrast, no significant effects were observed in the sham or theta groups.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that gamma tACS enhances working memory, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility, potentially due to its modulating neural activity within the DLPFC and restoring effective theta-gamma coupling. Conversely, theta tACS did not yield improvements, likely because of the elevated baseline theta levels and disrupted oscillatory dynamics observed in patients with MCI. This study underscores the potential of gamma tACS as a promising intervention for cognitive decline in MCI and further suggests the necessity of a comprehensive approach that considers the electrophysiological abnormalities and dynamic oscillatory patterns in MCI.

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频率特异性经颅交流电刺激对轻度认知障碍患者认知功能的影响比较。

目的：比较经颅交流电流刺激（tACS）对轻度认知障碍（MCI）患者认知功能和记忆的影响。方法：参与者被分配到三种条件中的一种：假手术，θ（5赫兹）或伽马（40赫兹）tACS，目标是背外侧前额叶皮层（DLPFC）约30分钟。在刺激前后进行认知任务，包括数字广度和轨迹制造测试A （TMT-A）。结果：结果显示gamma tACS组显著改善，特别是TMT-A错误减少。相比之下，假手术组和θ波组没有观察到明显的影响。结论：这些研究结果表明，伽马tACS可增强工作记忆、加工速度和认知灵活性，可能是由于其调节DLPFC内的神经活动并恢复有效的θ - γ耦合。相反，theta tACS没有改善，可能是因为在轻度认知损伤患者中观察到的基线theta水平升高和振荡动力学破坏。这项研究强调了伽马tACS作为MCI认知能力下降的一种有希望的干预手段的潜力，并进一步提出了考虑MCI电生理异常和动态振荡模式的综合方法的必要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Psychiatry Investigation PSYCHIATRY-

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

3.70%

发文量

105

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Psychiatry Investigation is published on the 25th day of every month in English by the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNPA). The Journal covers the whole range of psychiatry and neuroscience. Both basic and clinical contributions are encouraged from all disciplines and research areas relevant to the pathophysiology and management of neuropsychiatric disorders and symptoms, as well as researches related to cross cultural psychiatry and ethnic issues in psychiatry. The Journal publishes editorials, review articles, original articles, brief reports, viewpoints and correspondences. All research articles are peer reviewed. Contributions are accepted for publication on the condition that their substance has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Authors submitting papers to the Journal (serially or otherwise) with a common theme or using data derived from the same sample (or a subset thereof) must send details of all relevant previous publications and simultaneous submissions. The Journal is not responsible for statements made by contributors. Material in the Journal does not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the KNPA. Manuscripts accepted for publication are copy-edited to improve readability and to ensure conformity with house style.