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: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 343

Special Issue Editors


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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

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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
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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

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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 (1 paper)

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Review

13 pages, 435 KiB  
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
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