Journal Article

DZNE-2025-01368

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: An electric field modelling study.

Maas, R. P. P. W. M. ; Group, E. M. S. (Collaboration Author) ; Faber, J.DZNE* ; van de Warrenburg, B. P. C. ; Schutter, D. J. L. G.

2026
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2025.2111405

Abstract: To compare cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-induced electric field strengths between individuals with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and healthy controls and to identify factors that underlie the variability in field strength.MRI scans from 68 SCA3 mutation carriers spanning the disease spectrum and 37 healthy adults were used to reconstruct tetrahedral volume meshes of the head. Electric field simulations of midline cerebellar tDCS were performed with the buccinator muscle, frontopolar region, and lower neck as reference electrode positions. Eight regions of interest were defined throughout the cerebellum.Simulated electric field strengths induced by cerebellar tDCS were generally lower in SCA3 mutation carriers than in healthy controls, particularly in the anterior lobe and with cephalic reference electrodes. The frontopolar montage induced the highest field strengths, while the lower neck montage caused the lowest field strengths. Skin-cerebellum distance, Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score, and 'occipital angle' were independently associated with electric field strength.Skin-cerebellum distance, posterior fossa morphometry, ataxia severity, and electrode montage predict cerebellar tDCS-induced electric field strength in SCA3 mutation carriers. These results may guide the development of personalized neuromodulation protocols and inform the design of future cerebellar tDCS trials in degenerative ataxias.This study identified clinical and anatomical factors that affect cerebellar tDCS-induced field strength in individuals with the most common type of dominantly inherited ataxia worldwide.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: methods (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Machado-Joseph Disease: physiopathology (MeSH) ; Machado-Joseph Disease: therapy (MeSH) ; Machado-Joseph Disease: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Machado-Joseph Disease: genetics (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Cerebellum: physiopathology (MeSH) ; Cerebellum: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Ataxia ; Cerebellar tDCS ; Electric fields ; Interindividual variability ; Modelling study ; Simulation

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Clinical Research Coordination (Clinical Research (Bonn))

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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