Temporal Interference Stimulation Modulates Resting State Functional Connectivity of Motor Circuit in Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND: Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIs) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a novel noninvasive neuromodulation approach with potential to improve motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, its underlying neuroimaging mechanisms remain unclear. Changes in functional connectivity (FC) of the STN and the cortical-basal ganglia-thalamic-cortical (CBTC) circuit are central to PD pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, double-blind, crossover study aimed to examine the effects of STN-TIs on FCs of the STN and regions in the CBTC circuit in PD. METHODS: 23 participants with mild-to-moderate PD received a 20-minute session of 130 Hz TIs targeting the STN of the contralateral hemisphere of the patient's severely affected side (or the dominant side in case of bilateral disturbance), and active sham stimulation in randomized order. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and Part III of Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS-III) were completed before and after stimulation. The STN and regions in the CBTC circuit were defined as regions of interest (ROI) for ROI-to-ROI FC analysis. RESULTS: Compared to sham stimulation, 130 Hz STN-TIs induced a connectivity-specific effect, including the decreased FCs between the targeted side of STN and putamen (P = 0.004-0.046) and caudate (P < 0.001), and increased FC between the targeted side of STN and M1 (P = 0.002-0.004). No severe side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides preliminary but novel evidence for the potential modulatory effect of STN-TIs on resting-state neural activities in the motor circuit. © 2026 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. © 2026 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.