Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation in Neurological Diseases and Neurorehabilitation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026 | Viewed by 861

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Discipline of Physiotherapy, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
Interests: transcranial magnetic stimulation; brain excitability; neuroplasticity; transcranial direct-current stimulation; motor control; stroke; multiple sclerosis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has emerged as a revolutionary approach in the treatment and rehabilitation of neurological diseases. Over the past few decades, methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and other NIBS techniques have gained considerable attention for their ability to modulate brain activity without the need for invasive procedures. These techniques offer promising therapeutic options for a wide range of neurological conditions, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain, among others.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together pioneering research that highlights the latest advancements in NIBS and its application in neurorehabilitation. We seek to explore the underlying mechanisms, optimal parameters, and innovative strategies that enhance the efficacy of these techniques. By providing a platform for the dissemination of cutting-edge research, we hope to push the boundaries of how NIBS can be utilized in clinical settings to improve patient outcomes.

We are particularly interested in papers that delve into the following areas:

  • Mechanistic studies that elucidate the physiological effects of NIBS on the brain and nervous system.
  • Clinical trials and studies that evaluate the efficacy of NIBS in various neurological diseases.
  • Novel approaches to optimizing stimulation parameters, including targeting specific brain regions or combining NIBS with other therapeutic interventions.
  • Long-term effects and safety considerations of NIBS in both acute and chronic settings.
  • Reviews and meta-analyses that summarize current knowledge and identify future research directions in this rapidly evolving field.

This Special Issue invites submissions from researchers and clinicians who are at the forefront of NIBS technology. Whether you are investigating new applications, refining existing techniques, or exploring the integration of NIBS with other therapeutic modalities, we welcome your contributions to this exciting and impactful area of neuroscience.

Dr. Maryam Zoghi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • non-invasive brain stimulation
  • transcranial direct-current stimulation
  • transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • neurorehabilitation
  • neurological diseases
  • stroke
  • Parkinson's disease
  • multiple sclerosis
  • chronic pain

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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22 pages, 2339 KiB  
Article
Safety, Feasibility, and Tolerability of Ten Days of At-Home, Remotely Supervised tDCS During Gamified Attention Training in Children with Acquired Brain Injury: An Open-Label, Dose-Controlled Pilot Trial
by Athena Stein, Justin Riddle, Kevin A. Caulfield, Paul E. Dux, Maximilian A. Friehs, Philipp A. Schroeder, Michael P. Craven, Madeleine J. Groom, Kartik K. Iyer and Karen M. Barlow
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(6), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060561 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 381
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chronic attention problems occur in approximately 25% of children after acquired brain injury (ABI). When delivered daily, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve attention; however, access to daily in-clinic tDCS treatment can be limited by other commitments, including concurrent therapy, school [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chronic attention problems occur in approximately 25% of children after acquired brain injury (ABI). When delivered daily, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve attention; however, access to daily in-clinic tDCS treatment can be limited by other commitments, including concurrent therapy, school commitments, and caregiver schedules. Treatment access can be improved through home-based interventions, though these require several practical and safety considerations in a pediatric ABI population. This study evaluated the safety, feasibility, and tolerability of remotely monitored at-home tDCS during online gamified attention training in pediatric ABI. Methods: We conducted a randomized, single-blind, dose-controlled clinical trial of at home tDCS in Brisbane, Australia (10 tDCS sessions; 20 min; 1 mA or 2 mA; bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Participants attended our clinic at baseline for clinical assessments, fitting of the personalized tDCS headband, and training in how to use tDCS at home. All sessions were remotely supervised using live videoconferencing. We assessed the feasibility and tolerability of at-home tDCS and our customized, personalized at-home tDCS headband as primary outcomes. As secondary outcomes, we evaluated changes in functional connectivity (fc) and reaction time (RT). Results: Seventy-three participants were contacted over six months (January-June 2023) and ten were enrolled (5 males; mean age: 12.10 y [SD: 2.9]), satisfying a priori recruitment timelines (CONSORT reporting). All families successfully set up tDCS and completed attention training with excellent protocol adherence. There were no serious adverse events over the 100 total sessions. Nine participants completed all stimulation sessions (1 mA: n = 5, 2 mA: n = 4). Participants in the 2 mA group reported greater tingling, itching, and discomfort (all p < 0.05). One participant in the 1 mA group was unable to complete all sessions due to tolerability challenges; however, these challenges were resolved in the second half of the intervention by gradually increasing the stimulation duration across the 10 days alongside additional coaching and support. Conclusions: Overall, daily remotely supervised at-home tDCS in patients with pediatric ABI is safe, feasible, and tolerable. Our results support larger, sham-controlled efficacy trials and provide a foundation for the development of safe and effective at-home stimulation therapeutics that may offer targeted improvement of neurocognitive symptoms in children. Full article
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