Transcranial cerebellar direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous spinal DCS are two innovative neuromodulatory techniques based on applying direct current (DC) non-invasively through the skin. Previous experimental works showed that weak DC delivered transcutaneously in humans over the cerebellum and over the spinal cord for minutes can elicit prolonged changes in neurophysiological and behavioural responses related to cerebellar and spinal functions. Because these two novel neuromodulation techniques are simple to apply, they promise to be increasingly used in the near future, representing two novel exciting tools in the hands of neuroscientists. However, much work remains to be done to confirm the previous data and the preliminary clinical applications, to better understand the possible mechanisms of action underlying these two techniques and to optimize how to apply them in daily practice. Thus, advancing modeling and experimental and clinical research represents the main instruments to face this exciting new scientific and medical challenge.
In this Research Topic, we encourage submissions that explore the breadth and depth of this growing research area. Although papers related to the following sub-topics are especially welcome, quality manuscripts exploring other aspects of cerebellar and spinal neuromodulation will also be considered:
- Studies in patients
- Computational Modeling studies
- Studies on cerebellar and spinal mechanism of action
- Studies on safety aspect
- Studies on multiple stimulation targets
- Optimization and finalization of protocol
Transcranial cerebellar direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous spinal DCS are two innovative neuromodulatory techniques based on applying direct current (DC) non-invasively through the skin. Previous experimental works showed that weak DC delivered transcutaneously in humans over the cerebellum and over the spinal cord for minutes can elicit prolonged changes in neurophysiological and behavioural responses related to cerebellar and spinal functions. Because these two novel neuromodulation techniques are simple to apply, they promise to be increasingly used in the near future, representing two novel exciting tools in the hands of neuroscientists. However, much work remains to be done to confirm the previous data and the preliminary clinical applications, to better understand the possible mechanisms of action underlying these two techniques and to optimize how to apply them in daily practice. Thus, advancing modeling and experimental and clinical research represents the main instruments to face this exciting new scientific and medical challenge.
In this Research Topic, we encourage submissions that explore the breadth and depth of this growing research area. Although papers related to the following sub-topics are especially welcome, quality manuscripts exploring other aspects of cerebellar and spinal neuromodulation will also be considered:
- Studies in patients
- Computational Modeling studies
- Studies on cerebellar and spinal mechanism of action
- Studies on safety aspect
- Studies on multiple stimulation targets
- Optimization and finalization of protocol
