title: Noninvasive DC stimulation on neck changes MEP.
abstract: Direct current stimulation (DCS) has been known as a noninvasive method for modulating neural activity. We estimated the effects of noninvasive cutaneous DCS applied to the cervical region on corticospinal excitability and segmental sensorimotor excitability. The motor-evoked potential amplitudes and the parameters of the Hoffmann reflex were measured before, immediately after, 1 h after, and 2 h after DCS. In this study, we found that noninvasive cervical application of DCS could increase the motor-evoked potential amplitudes which reflected corticospinal tract excitability. This effect of DCS remained for 2 h after stimulation had ceased. These findings suggest DCS might be a noninvasive and effective tool for corticospinal tract excitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chai-Young
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Hyung-Ik
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004553:Electric Conductivity / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004560:Electricity; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000502:physiology*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult