Current Stimulation and Brain Connectivity in Prodromal Multiple Sclerosis: A Simultaneous tDCS-MRI Study

Motivation: The extent of tDCS’s impact on brain functional connectivity(FC) in individuals with prodromal multiple sclerosis(MS) remains largely unknown. Goal(s): To investigate the acute tDCS effects on brain network and FC using resting state functional MRI(rs-fMRI) in MS prodromal patients. Approach: The study involved a concurrent tDCS-MRI session, in which rs-fMRI data were acquired prior to and during tDCS (2mA, DLPFC left anodal). Results: During tDCS, we noted a significant increase in FC between hippocampus and frontal pole as well as lateral parietal cortex in the left hemisphere. Similar increases were observed between frontal left regions and cortical and subcortical areas. Impact: The observed effects of tDCS on brain network dynamics and resting state functional connectivity in prodromal MS could potentially influence its future clinical applications as a treatment option in such early stages of the disease.