Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging study

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a promising noninvasive intervention for schizophrenia, particularly when applied using a frontotemporal montage. Although significant clinical benefits have been reported, the variability in individual responses underscores the need for...

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Main Authors: Clara Fonteneau, Inés Merida, Jérome Redoute, Frédéric Haesebaert, Sophie Lancelot, Nicolas Costes, Marine Mondino, Jerome Brunelin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Brain Stimulation
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X2500110X
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author Clara Fonteneau
Inés Merida
Jérome Redoute
Frédéric Haesebaert
Sophie Lancelot
Nicolas Costes
Marine Mondino
Jerome Brunelin
author_facet Clara Fonteneau
Inés Merida
Jérome Redoute
Frédéric Haesebaert
Sophie Lancelot
Nicolas Costes
Marine Mondino
Jerome Brunelin
author_sort Clara Fonteneau
collection DOAJ
description Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a promising noninvasive intervention for schizophrenia, particularly when applied using a frontotemporal montage. Although significant clinical benefits have been reported, the variability in individual responses underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of its underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Here, we used a simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach (PET-MR) to investigate the effects of frontotemporal tDCS on dopamine transmission, cerebral perfusion, and white matter microstructural integrity in healthy individuals. Methods: In a double-blind, two-arm, parallel group study, 30 healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to receive a single session of either active (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) frontotemporal tDCS. The stimulation session was delivered during simultaneous multimodal PET-MR imaging, which combined PET with the [11C]raclopride radiotracer, Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL), and Diffusion Weighted Imaging. Results: PET [11C]raclopride analysis revealed a significant reduction in Non-Displaceable Binding Potential in the left executive striatal subregion 15 min after tDCS in the active group, compared to both baseline and the sham group. This finding suggests that frontotemporal tDCS may induce an increase in dopamine release. ASL analysis showed that active tDCS may reduce cerebral blood flow in the precuneus compared to sham stimulation. No significant effects of tDCS were observed on white matter microstructural integrity. Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms of frontotemporal tDCS, paving the way for the optimization of therapeutic strategies for patients with dysregulated cortico-subcortical dopamine systems.
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spelling doaj-art-a764836daf4e4861983bc292fee3433d2025-08-20T03:40:45ZengElsevierBrain Stimulation1935-861X2025-07-011841065107310.1016/j.brs.2025.05.006Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging studyClara Fonteneau0Inés Merida1Jérome Redoute2Frédéric Haesebaert3Sophie Lancelot4Nicolas Costes5Marine Mondino6Jerome Brunelin7Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Lyon, F-69000, FranceUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; CERMEP-Imagerie Du Vivant, Lyon, F-69000, FranceUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; CERMEP-Imagerie Du Vivant, Lyon, F-69000, FranceUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Lyon, F-69000, FranceUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; CERMEP-Imagerie Du Vivant, Lyon, F-69000, France; Hospices Civils de Lyon, F-69000, FranceUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; CERMEP-Imagerie Du Vivant, Lyon, F-69000, FranceUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Lyon, F-69000, FranceUniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028 UMR5292, PSYR2, F-69500, Bron, France; Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Lyon, F-69000, France; Corresponding author. Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier Equipe de Recherche PSYR2, Pôle Est - Bâtiment 416 – 1er étage BP 300 39 – 95 boulevard, Pinel 69678, Bron, Cedex, France.Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a promising noninvasive intervention for schizophrenia, particularly when applied using a frontotemporal montage. Although significant clinical benefits have been reported, the variability in individual responses underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of its underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Here, we used a simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach (PET-MR) to investigate the effects of frontotemporal tDCS on dopamine transmission, cerebral perfusion, and white matter microstructural integrity in healthy individuals. Methods: In a double-blind, two-arm, parallel group study, 30 healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to receive a single session of either active (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) frontotemporal tDCS. The stimulation session was delivered during simultaneous multimodal PET-MR imaging, which combined PET with the [11C]raclopride radiotracer, Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL), and Diffusion Weighted Imaging. Results: PET [11C]raclopride analysis revealed a significant reduction in Non-Displaceable Binding Potential in the left executive striatal subregion 15 min after tDCS in the active group, compared to both baseline and the sham group. This finding suggests that frontotemporal tDCS may induce an increase in dopamine release. ASL analysis showed that active tDCS may reduce cerebral blood flow in the precuneus compared to sham stimulation. No significant effects of tDCS were observed on white matter microstructural integrity. Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms of frontotemporal tDCS, paving the way for the optimization of therapeutic strategies for patients with dysregulated cortico-subcortical dopamine systems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X2500110XDorsolateral prefrontal cortexDopaminePerfusionSubcorticaltDCSPET
spellingShingle Clara Fonteneau
Inés Merida
Jérome Redoute
Frédéric Haesebaert
Sophie Lancelot
Nicolas Costes
Marine Mondino
Jerome Brunelin
Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging study
Brain Stimulation
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Dopamine
Perfusion
Subcortical
tDCS
PET
title Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging study
title_full Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging study
title_fullStr Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging study
title_full_unstemmed Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging study
title_short Modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tDCS: A multimodal PET-MR imaging study
title_sort modulation of dopaminergic transmission and brain activity by frontotemporal tdcs a multimodal pet mr imaging study
topic Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Dopamine
Perfusion
Subcortical
tDCS
PET
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X2500110X
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