经颅直流电刺激对意识障碍患者脑功能网络方向性连接的影响

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2025.09.008

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the modulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on directional information flow within the α-band functional brain networks in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC).

Methods From October, 2023 to October, 2024, 30 patients with DoC were recruited from Binzhou Medical University Hospital. They were assigned to minimally conscious state (MCS) group (n = 15) and unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) group (n = 15). All the patients received conventional rehabilitation and tDCS at left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for four weeks. Ten-minute electroencephalography data were collected before and after treatment.

Results Two cases dropped out from MCS group. Granger causality (GC) connectivity between the prefrontal and parietal regions enhanced in both groups after treatment, particularly in bidirectional pathways between bilateral prefrontal and parietal regions, as well as between frontocentral and parietal regions, and limbic-central connections. GC connectivity was extensive and bidirectional in MCS group, and localized and unidirectional in UWS group.

Conclusion tDCS can enhance directional information flow between bilateral prefrontal and parietal regions in patients with DoC, for promoting recovery of consciousness. Neural plasticity was better in MCS patients than in UWS patients.

Key words: disorders of consciousness, transcranial direct current stimulation, electroencephalography, Granger causality analysis

CLC Number:

R741.041

LI Hongwei, HUANG Binbin, ZHU Chuanhua, LI Wei. Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on α-band brain connectivity in disorders of consciousness[J]. Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice, 2025, 31(9): 1050-1056.

Figures/Tables 5

Table 1

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References 41

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组别	n	性别(男/女)/n	年龄/岁	病程/d
MCS组	13	10/3	59.46±8.64	45.38±12.81
UWS组	15	9/6	54.00±11.83	51.33±15.77
χ²/t值		0.914	1.376	-1.084
P值		0.435	0.431	0.288

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on α-band brain connectivity in disorders of consciousness

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