Advanced Applications of Non-Invasive Stimulation for Therapeutics

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 2394

Editors


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Guest Editor
Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
Interests: non-invasive stimulation; therapy; neurodegenerative conditions; neuromodulation; motor rehabilitation

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Co-Guest Editor
Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
Interests: parkinson disease; motor cortex; deep brain stimulation (DBS); dystonia; plasticity; transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS); electroencephalography (EEG); neurophysiology; transcranial focused ultrasound

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Co-Guest Editor
Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
Interests: non-invasive neuromodulation; transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation; transcranial magnetic stimulation; motor control and plasticity; movement disorders; functional neurological disorders; translational neurophysiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Non-invasive stimulation techniques have demonstrated significant potential to modulate central and peripheral nervous system plasticity in humans. Despite a large and growing body of literature spanning acute clinical care to rehabilitation, translation of these approaches into routine clinical practice remains limited, underscoring the need for rigorous, mechanistically informed, and therapeutically focused research. 

The goal of this Special Issue is to bring together high-quality experimental, clinical, and translational studies that employ non-invasive stimulation to understand neural mechanisms and promote recovery across acute and chronic brain disorders including neurological as well as psychiatric disorders. Studies integrating neuroimaging and neurophysiological approaches to characterize stimulation-induced plasticity and network-level changes are highly encouraged. Collectively, these contributions aim to identify innovative stimulation strategies with strong potential for clinical adoption across the continuum of care, from acute intervention to rehabilitation. 

We welcome submissions including, but not limited to, novel stimulation targets and paradigms; combination approaches integrating stimulation with pharmacological, behavioral, or rehabilitative therapies; and mechanistic investigations using advanced neuroimaging or neurophysiological methods. Systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, case series, and experimental studies are encouraged. 

Dr. Naaz Desai
Guest Editor

Prof. Dr. Robert Chen
Dr. Amitabh Bhattacharya
Co-Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • non-invasive neuromodulation
  • brain stimulation
  • spinal and peripheral stimulation
  • transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • focused ultrasound stimulation
  • transcranial electrical stimulation
  • neuroplasticity
  • translational therapeutics
  • brain disorders

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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16 pages, 1825 KB  
Article
Repeated Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation Modulates Resting-State EEG Microstate Dynamics in Athletes with Chronic Insomnia
by Xiao He, Bohan Cheng, Hui He, Li Zhao and Yan Li
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(8), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16080841 - 7 Aug 2026
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Abstract
Background: Chronic insomnia can impair recovery and performance in athletes. Continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) is a brief neuromodulatory intervention, but its effects in athletes with chronic insomnia remain unclear. This study evaluated whether right dorsolateral prefrontal cTBS improves sleep quality and athletic performance [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic insomnia can impair recovery and performance in athletes. Continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) is a brief neuromodulatory intervention, but its effects in athletes with chronic insomnia remain unclear. This study evaluated whether right dorsolateral prefrontal cTBS improves sleep quality and athletic performance and alters resting-state EEG microstate dynamics. Methods: In this randomized, sham-controlled trial, 35 male athletes with chronic insomnia received active cTBS or sham stimulation once daily for 7 days; usable EEG data were obtained from 32 participants. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Countermovement jump, 50 m sprint, and Illinois Agility Test performance were assessed before and after intervention. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) microstate temporal parameters and directional transition probabilities were analyzed. Results: Active cTBS produced a greater reduction in PSQI global score than sham stimulation. Active stimulation increased microstate C duration and contribution and reduced microstate A occurrence. Directional transitions among microstates B, C, and D were also altered, with largely concordant findings in ΔTM sensitivity analyses. Active cTBS improved countermovement jump height, 50 m sprint performance, and agility, whereas sham stimulation improved sprint performance only. Conclusions: A 7-day course of right dorsolateral prefrontal cTBS improved subjective sleep quality and sport-related performance in athletes with chronic insomnia. These improvements were accompanied by selective changes in resting-state EEG microstate temporal parameters and transition probabilities. Given the exploratory nature of the EEG findings, these microstate changes should be interpreted as potential electrophysiological correlates of treatment response rather than evidence of a causal mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Applications of Non-Invasive Stimulation for Therapeutics)
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39 pages, 812 KB  
Systematic Review
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Techniques and Their Efficacy in Treating Cognition and Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease—A Systematic Review
by Hector P. Valverde, Benjamin J. Clark, Jeremy Hogeveen and Vincent P. Clark
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(5), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16050527 - 15 May 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: The growing aging population is susceptible to cognitive and memory impairment, most commonly due to Alzheimer’s disease, with no cures currently available. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques may serve to improve cognition and delay catastrophic memory loss. Methods: A systematic review of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The growing aging population is susceptible to cognitive and memory impairment, most commonly due to Alzheimer’s disease, with no cures currently available. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques may serve to improve cognition and delay catastrophic memory loss. Methods: A systematic review of NIBS research on cognitive impairment was carried out using PubMed, with additional backward citation searching. A total of 81 studies using NIBS were included. Conclusions: The reviewed studies show that NIBS holds promise in improving memory deficits in patients with cognitive impairment. While the longevity of benefits from transcranial electrical stimulation appears limited, its short-term effects may provide benefits when used consistently. Transcranial magnetic stimulation appears to provide longer-lasting benefits. Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation may also provide further benefits through more precise targeting of deeper brain structures compared to other NIBS techniques. Together, these results suggest that NIBS shows promise for the treatment of symptoms related to cognitive and memory impairment, and may help to alleviate some of the growing issues associated with the increasing level of Alzheimer’s disease in an aging population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Applications of Non-Invasive Stimulation for Therapeutics)
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