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Brain Sciences
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Application of Invasive and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques in Neurological...
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Application of Invasive and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques in Neurological Disorders

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 March 2026 | Viewed by 1784

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vincenzo Levi

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Guest Editor
Functional Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Foundation IRCCS Neurological Institute "C. Besta", Milan, Italy
Interests: brain stimulation; DBS; movement disorders
Dr. Massimo Marano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology and Psychiatry Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Viale Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy
Interests: movement disorders; Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism; dystonia; tremor; hun-tington disease; botulinum toxin; remote patient monitoring; gait analysis; deep brain stimulation; neurophysiology; vagus nerve stimulation; rehabilitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Brain stimulation, via invasive or non-invasive approaches, represents an innovative way to interact and interface with the brain. Advances in neuroimaging and brain stimulation techniques have significantly contributed to a deeper understanding of the neural circuits and pathways involved in various sensory, motor, visual, and cognitive functions. In addition, new therapeutic approaches have been developed and refined to better modulate pathological brain activity. From the use of electrical/magnetic/acoustic/optical stimulation to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders to the development of brain–machine interfaces to restore sensory, motor, and visual functions, the potential applications of brain stimulation are wide-ranging and hold the promise to improve human healthcare and well-being

This Special Issue will focus on achieving a better understanding of several aspects of brain stimulation, from the mechanism of action to different treatment options, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial current stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation. It will represent a comprehensive resource for readers, sharing in-depth knowledge on a range of topics.

We would like to invite authors from all over the world to submit cutting-edge works involving basic, ethical, and clinical research.

Dr. Vincenzo Levi
Dr. Massimo Marano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • deep brain stimulation (DBS)
  • magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS)
  • transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
  • transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS)
  • vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
  • brain–machine interface
  • brain stimulation
  • non-invasive brain stimulation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2050 KB  
Article
Simultaneous MEG-LFP Recordings to Assess In Vivo Dystonic Neurophysiological Networks: A Feasibility Study
by Elisa Visani, Lorenzo Bergamini, Chiara Gorlini, Dunja Duran, Nico Golfrè Andreasi, Giovanna Zorzi, Eleonora Minacapilli, Davide Rossi Sebastiano, Paola Lanteri, Daniele Cazzato, Roberto Eleopra and Vincenzo Levi
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(12), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15121268 - 26 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Subcortical local field potentials (LFPs) provide a valuable in vivo window into the neurophysiology of the dystonia network. These signals can be recorded through Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) devices and combined with whole-head techniques such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study cortical–subcortical interactions. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Subcortical local field potentials (LFPs) provide a valuable in vivo window into the neurophysiology of the dystonia network. These signals can be recorded through Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) devices and combined with whole-head techniques such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study cortical–subcortical interactions. However, simultaneous LFP-MEG acquisition poses challenges, including interference from the DBS device and synchronization issues. We present preliminary data on the feasibility and signal quality of concurrent LFP and MEG recordings in dystonia patients. Methods: We assessed simultaneous MEG-LFP recordings in 11 patients with inherited or idiopathic dystonia who underwent bilateral DBS lead implantation in the Globus Pallidus Internus (GPi). Two synchronization strategies were tested: (1) the Tapping method, using an accelerometer placed on the DBS device, and (2) the Stimulation method, which generated detectable artifacts during sham stimulation. Results: Both methods successfully aligned MEG and LFP signals with a mean temporal delay of 91 ± 22 ms for the Tapping method and 288 ± 166 ms for the Stimulation method. Post-implantation signal-to-noise ratio analysis revealed slight degradation but no significant impact on MEG quality (gradiometers: −0.12 ± 1.85 dB; magnetometers: −0.47 ± 2.03 dB). Conclusions: Simultaneous MEG-LFP recordings in dystonic patients are feasible, yielding high-quality signals, and reliable synchronization. Temporal alignment improved with practice, suggesting a short learning curve. This method opens new opportunities to study cortical-subcortical dynamics and strengthens the potential of combining MEG-LFP approaches for investigating dystonia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Invasive and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques in Neurological Disorders)
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Review

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13 pages, 435 KB  
Review
The Role of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Scoping Review
by Roberto Tedeschi, Federica Giorgi and Danilo Donati
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(6), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060584 - 28 May 2025
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Abstract
Background: Chronic shoulder pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder often associated with central sensitisation, which limits the effectiveness of conventional therapies. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention to modulate cortical excitability and potentially improve pain and functional [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic shoulder pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder often associated with central sensitisation, which limits the effectiveness of conventional therapies. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention to modulate cortical excitability and potentially improve pain and functional outcomes. Methods: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search was conducted across MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science to identify studies evaluating the effects of tDCS on pain and function in adults with rotator cuff disorders, myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), or subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS). Data were extracted and synthesised qualitatively. Results: Four studies met the inclusion criteria. tDCS demonstrated variable efficacy: some trials reported no additional benefit when used alongside corticosteroid injections or sensorimotor training (e.g., SAPS and rotator cuff tendinopathy), while others showed enhanced pain reduction and functional gains, particularly in MPS. Targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) appeared more effective than stimulating the primary motor cortex (M1) in modulating pain. Functional improvements were generally observed, though not consistently superior to sham interventions. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggests that tDCS may represent a promising adjunctive treatment for chronic shoulder pain, particularly in MPS. However, due to the limited number of studies and heterogeneity in methods, conclusions should be interpreted with caution. However, heterogeneity in study protocols, stimulation targets, and patient populations limits conclusive recommendations. Standardised protocols and larger trials are needed to determine the optimal application of tDCS in clinical shoulder pain management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Invasive and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques in Neurological Disorders)
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