Pioneering brain stimulation: integrating advanced imaging into therapy

In the field of neuroscience, brain stimulation is increasingly recognized as a promising method for addressing various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Despite its potential, challenges remain in tailoring these techniques to individual patient needs and optimizing their efficacy. Recent advancements in imaging technologies present an exciting opportunity to refine and enhance brain stimulation therapies, yet integration remains limited and underexplored. Current studies indicate that combining brain stimulation with advanced imaging can provide deeper insights into brain connectivity and activity, potentially enhancing the precision and outcomes of therapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, there is a pressing need to develop standardized protocols and to better understand the mechanisms through which these combined approaches exert their effects. Furthermore, exergaming, an interactive exercise-based gaming approach, has emerged as a novel method to engage both cognitive and motor systems simultaneously, offering potential for brain modulation through enriched sensorimotor experiences. When combined with brain stimulation and advanced imaging, exergaming may offer a dynamic platform for monitoring and influencing brain connectivity and activity in real-time, potentially enhancing the precision and outcomes of therapeutic interventions.

This Research Topic aims to explore the potential of integrating advanced imaging modalities with brain stimulation. By investigating how these technologies can complement each other, we seek to advance the understanding of physiological and pathological brain function, the mechanisms by which brain stimulation modifies brain connectivity, and methods to improve therapeutic outcomes. Key questions include identifying optimal imaging techniques for specific brain stimulation applications, understanding how imaging data can be used to tailor interventions to individual patient profiles, and evaluating the utility of imaging information as biomarkers.

To gather further insights into the area of combined imaging-brain stimulation approaches, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Innovations in imaging techniques for enhancing brain stimulation

o Mechanisms of action of brain stimulation integrated with imaging

o Case studies highlighting the successful integration of brain stimulation, imaging, and exergaming

o Personalization of brain stimulation therapies using imaging data and/or exergaming

o Comparative studies of different imaging modalities in brain stimulation applications

o Refining biomarkers for therapeutic use of brain stimulation and exergaming

We encourage submissions of original research, review articles, and case reports that contribute to this evolving field.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: brain stimulation, neuroimaging, advanced imaging, personalized therapy, brain connectivity, biomarkers, therapeutic outcomes, neuromodulation, mechanism of action, functional MRI, PET, MEG, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.