Dual-site tACS over the primary motor cortices increases interhemispheric inhibition and improves bimanual dexterity: A triple-blind, randomised, sham-controlled study

Abstract

Concurrent application of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over distant cortical regions has been shown to modulate functional connectivity between stimulated regions; however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated how dual-site tACS (ds-tACS) applied over the bilateral primary motor cortices (M1s) modulates connectivity between M1s. Using a cross-over sham-controlled triple-blind within- subject design, 37 (27 female, age 18-37yrs) healthy participants received tACS (1.0mA, 20Hz) over the bilateral M1s for 20 min. Before and after tACS, functional connectivity between M1s was assessed using imaginary coherence (ImCoh) measured via resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) via dual-site transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol. Additionally, manual dexterity was assessed using the Purdue pegboard task. While ImCoh remained unchanged after simulation, spectral power analysis showed a significant decrease in beta (20 Hz) power during the tACS session. ds-tACS but not sham strengthened IHI between the M1s and improved bimanual assembly performance. These results suggest that improvement in bimanual performance may be explained by modulation in M1-M1 IHI, rather than by coupling in the oscillatory activity. As functional connectivity underlies many clinical symptoms in neurological and psychiatric disorders, these findings are invaluable in developing non-invasive therapeutic interventions that target neural networks to alleviate symptoms.