Research investigating the use of electrical or magnetic stimuli to alter the electrophysiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems has flourished in recent years. The popularity of these techniques largely stems from their ability to create temporary lesions or enhancements in nervous system function. To date, a plethora of literature has emerged examining the role of neurostimulation for augmenting motor function, due to the relative ease of objectively quantifying changes in behavior, performance, and even motor-evoked potential amplitudes within individual muscles. However, the role of neurostimulation in enhancing perceptual and cognitive abilities is under-examined and is an area that is now continually gaining research attention.
Evaluating the role of various forms of neurostimulation on cognitive and perceptual abilities can be challenging due to the lack of control over the underlying neural activity in the central nervous system and the sensitivity with which current measurement tools and tasks quantify cognitive and perceptual functioning. This research topic aims to facilitate the publication of high-quality, methodologically sound research that addresses the quantification and effect that various forms of neurostimulation have on cognitive and perceptual processes across the lifespan. In doing so, we endeavor to help advance the field of neurostimulation with respect to robustly mapping the effect of neurostimulation on cognitive and perceptual performance.
The scope of this research topic extends to all areas of neurostimulation and includes techniques such as transcranial electric stimulation (i.e., tDCS, tACS, tRNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS; i.e., single, dual pulse, and rTMS), electrical vestibular stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation. The topic is open to comprehensive literature reviews, experimental protocols, and meta-analyses that provide convincing evidence as to the efficacy of any or more of these neurostimulation techniques on relevant cognitive or perceptual processes.
Research investigating the use of electrical or magnetic stimuli to alter the electrophysiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems has flourished in recent years. The popularity of these techniques largely stems from their ability to create temporary lesions or enhancements in nervous system function. To date, a plethora of literature has emerged examining the role of neurostimulation for augmenting motor function, due to the relative ease of objectively quantifying changes in behavior, performance, and even motor-evoked potential amplitudes within individual muscles. However, the role of neurostimulation in enhancing perceptual and cognitive abilities is under-examined and is an area that is now continually gaining research attention.
Evaluating the role of various forms of neurostimulation on cognitive and perceptual abilities can be challenging due to the lack of control over the underlying neural activity in the central nervous system and the sensitivity with which current measurement tools and tasks quantify cognitive and perceptual functioning. This research topic aims to facilitate the publication of high-quality, methodologically sound research that addresses the quantification and effect that various forms of neurostimulation have on cognitive and perceptual processes across the lifespan. In doing so, we endeavor to help advance the field of neurostimulation with respect to robustly mapping the effect of neurostimulation on cognitive and perceptual performance.
The scope of this research topic extends to all areas of neurostimulation and includes techniques such as transcranial electric stimulation (i.e., tDCS, tACS, tRNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS; i.e., single, dual pulse, and rTMS), electrical vestibular stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation. The topic is open to comprehensive literature reviews, experimental protocols, and meta-analyses that provide convincing evidence as to the efficacy of any or more of these neurostimulation techniques on relevant cognitive or perceptual processes.