Article

Neuroplasticity is critical for learning, memory, and recovery of lost function
following neurological damage. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques
can induce neuroplastic changes in the human cortex that are behaviorally
relevant, raising the exciting possibility that these techniques might be
therapeutically beneficial for neurorehabilitation following brain injury.
However, the short duration and instability of induced effects currently limits
their usefulness. To date, trials investigating the therapeutic value of
neuroplasticity-inducing NIBS have used either single or multiple treatment
sessions, typically repeated once-daily for 1 to 2 weeks. Although multiple
stimulation sessions are presumed to have cumulative effects on neuroplasticity
induction, there is little direct scientific evidence to support this
"once-daily" approach. In animal models, the repeated application of stimulation
protocols spaced using relatively short intervals (typically of the order of
minutes) induces long-lasting and stable changes in synaptic efficacy. Likewise,
learning through spaced repetition facilitates the establishment of long-term
memory. In both cases, the spacing interval is critical in determining the
outcome. Emerging evidence in healthy human populations suggests that the
within-session spacing of NIBS protocols may be an effective approach for
significantly prolonging the duration of induced neuroplastic changes. Similar to
findings in the animal and learning literature, the interval at which spaced NIBS
is applied seems to be a critical factor influencing the neuroplastic response.
In this Point of View article, we propose that to truly exploit the therapeutic
opportunities provided by NIBS, future clinical trials should consider the
optimal spacing interval for repeated applications.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS