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Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is characterized by a marked shift of electroencephalographic (EEG) power and dominant rhythm, from the α toward the θ frequency range. Transcranial alternate current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that allows entrainment of cerebral oscillations at desired frequencies., Objectives: Our goal is to evaluate the effects of occipital α-tACS on cognitive functions and neurophysiological measures in patients with DLB., Methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, cross-over clinical trial in 14 participants with DLB. Participants were randomized to receive either α-tACS (60 minutes of 3 mA peak-to-peak stimulation at 12 Hz) or sham stimulation applied over the occipital cortex. Clinical evaluations were performed to assess visuospatial and executive functions, as well as verbal episodic memory. Neurophysiological assessments and EEG recordings were conducted at baseline and following both α-tACS and sham stimulations., Results: Occipital α-tACS was safe and well-tolerated. We observed a significant enhancement in visuospatial abilities and executive functions, but no improvement in verbal episodic memory. We observed an increase in short latency afferent inhibition, a neurophysiological marker indirectly and partially dependent on cholinergic transmission, coinciding with an increase in α power and a decrease in Δ power following α-tACS stimulation, effects not seen with sham stimulation., Conclusions: This study demonstrates that occipital α-tACS is safe and enhances visuospatial and executive functions in patients with DLB. Improvements in indirect markers of cholinergic transmission and EEG changes indicate significant neurophysiological engagement. These findings justify further exploration of α-tACS as a therapeutic option for DLB patients. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society., (© 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)

Background: DYT1 mutation is characterized by focal to generalized dystonia and incomplete penetrance. To explore the complex perturbations in the different neural networks and the mutual interactions among them, we studied symptomatic and asymptomatic DTY1 mutation carriers by resting-state functional MRI., Methods: A total of 7 symptomatic DYT1, 10 asymptomatic DYT1, and 26 healthy controls were considered. Resting-state functional MRI (Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain) [FMRIB] Software Library) (FSL) MELODIC, dual regression, (as a toolbox of FSL, with Nets is referred to "networks") (FSLNets) (http://fsl.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl/fslwiki/FSLNets) was performed on 9 resting-state neural networks., Results: DYT1 mutation signature (symptomatic DYT1 and asymptomatic DYT1) was characterized by increased connectivity in the dorsal attention network and in the left fronto-parietal network. Functional correlates of symptomatic DYT1 patients (symptomatic DYT1 vs healthy controls) showed increased connectivity in the sensorimotor network., Discussion: This study argues that DYT1 dystonia is a network disorder, with crucial nodes in sensory-motor integration of posterior parietal structures. A better characterization of cortical networks involved in dystonia is crucial for possible neurophysiological therapeutic interventions. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society., (© 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by both motor and cognitive deficits. In PD, physical exercise has been found to improve physical functioning. Recent studies demonstrated that repeated sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation led to an increased performance in cognitive and motor tasks in patients with PD., Objectives: The present study investigated the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and combined with physical therapy in PD patients., Methods: A total of 20 patients with PD were assigned to 1 of 2 study groups: group 1, anodal transcranial direct current stimulation plus physical therapy (n = 10) or group 2, placebo transcranial direct current stimulation plus physical therapy (n = 10). The 2 weeks of treatment consisted of daily direct current stimulation application for 25 minutes during physical therapy. Long-term effects of treatment were evaluated on clinical, neuropsychological, and motor task performance at 3-month follow-up., Results: An improvement in motor abilities and a reduction of depressive symptoms were observed in both groups after the end of treatment and at 3-month follow-up. The Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Rating Scale and verbal fluency test performances increased only in the anodal direct current stimulation group with a stable effect at follow-up., Conclusions: The application of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation may be a relevant tool to improve cognitive abilities in PD and might be a novel therapeutic strategy for PD patients with mild cognitive impairment. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society., (© 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)

Background and Objective: Numerous studies have highlighted the possibility of modulating the excitability of cerebellar circuits using transcranial direct current stimulation. The present study investigated whether a single session of cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation could improve symptoms in patients with ataxia., Methods: Nineteen patients with ataxia underwent a clinical and functional evaluation pre- and post-double-blind, randomized, sham, or anodal transcranial direct current stimulation., Results: There was a significant interaction between treatment and time on the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, on the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, on the 9-Hole Peg Test, and on the 8-Meter Walking Time (P < 0.001). At the end of the sessions, all performance scores were significantly different in the sham trial, compared to the intervention trial., Conclusions: A single session of anodal cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation can transiently improve symptoms in patients with ataxia and might represent a promising tool for future rehabilitative approaches., (© 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.)