Dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation during a bimanual coordination task modulates functional connectivity between motor areas

• Published in: bioRxiv
• Main Authors: Gann, Mareike A., Paparella, Ilenia A., Zich, Catharina, Grigoras, Ioana, Huertas-Penen, Silvana, Rieger, Sebastian W., Thielscher, Axel, Sharott, Andrew, Stagg, Charlotte J, Schwab, Bettina C.
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 2025; 04.04.2025
• Edition: 1.1
• Subjects: Neuroscience
• ISSN: 2692-8205
• DOI: 10.1101/2025.04.04.647211

Background: Communication within brain networks depends on functional connectivity. One promising approach to modulate such connectivity between cortical areas is dual-site transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), which non-invasively applies weak alternating currents to two brain areas. Objectives/Hypotheses: In the current study, we aimed to modulate inter-regional functional connectivity with dual-site tACS to bilateral primary motor cortices (M1s) during bimanual coordination and, in turn, alter behaviour. Methods: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we recorded participants' brain responses during a bimanual coordination task in a concurrent tACS-fMRI design. While performing a slow and fast version of the task, participants received one of three types of beta (20 Hz) dual-site tACS over both M1s: in-phase, jittered-phase or sham, in a within-subject, repeated measures design. Results: While we did not observe any significant tACS effects on behaviour, the study revealed a disruptive effect of in-phase tACS on interhemispheric connectivity. Additionally, the two active types of tACS (in-phase and jittered-phase) differed in the task-related M1 connectivity with other motor cortical regions, such as premotor cortex and supplementary motor area. Furthermore, individual E-field strengths were related to functional connectivity in the in-phase condition. Conclusions: Dual-site beta tACS over both M1s altered functional connectivity between motor areas. However, this effect did not translate to the behavioural level, possibly due to compensatory mechanisms.