Enhancing oscillatory dysfunctome in aphasia: Phase-dependent network effects of connectomic transcranial alternating current stimulation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Connectomic transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) utilizes connectomic model to guide network-modulating tACS. Early application of connectomic tACS supported the feasibility of using phase-synchronization tACS to modulate connectivity within a symptom-predictive subnetwork (a.k.a. dysfunctome) to promote clinical benefit in post-stroke aphasia (PSA). However, the dysfunctome-modulatory patterns of in/anti-phase tACS remain unclear. This study investigates the dysfunctome-enhancing effects of in/anti-phase tACS applied to a centralized edge within the dysfunctome, and how individualized targeting pinpointing an individual's weakened edge, may moderate these effects. METHODS: Nine individuals with PSA received single-session, double-blinded, 10-Hz tACS paired with speech therapy under five within-subject conditions: Generalized In-phase (GI), Generalized Anti-phase (GA), Individualized In-phase (II), Individualized Anti-phase (IA), and sham. Generalized conditions targeted an edge with the highest centrality within the dysfunctome that is universal to all participants. Individualized conditions pinpointed a centralized-but-weakened edge based on the individual's dysfunctome profile. Dysfunctome and overall network changes were compared. RESULTS: GI and IA had a medium effect with marginal significance in producing greater increase in average connectivity of the dysfunctome than sham. The reverse pattern of phase-dependent effect in generalized and individualized conditions suggests a moderator role of baseline connectivity of the target edge. CONCLUSIONS: In-phase tACS could potentially promote a dysfunctome-wide enhancement when targeted at an undisrupted centralized edge. Anti-phase tACS was more effective when the individual's disrupted centralized edge was targeted, possibly via network reorganization mechanism. SIGNIFICANCE: Immediate network-modulatory effects of tACS indicate potential for clinical applications in precision neurorehabilitation of PSA or other network-based disorders.
Source: Clinical Neurophysiology
Institution: University of Hong Kong
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
OpenAlex ID: W7131291937