Page 45 - TI Journal 18-1

Technology and Innovation, Vol. 18, pp. 39-50, 2016 ISSN 1949-8241 • E-ISSN 1949-825X
Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.21300/18.1.2016.39
Copyright © 2016 National Academy of Inventors. www.technologyandinnovation.org

ASSESSING THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL EFFECTS OF

NEUROMODULATION USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

David F. Tate , Jacob D. Bolzenius , Carmen S. Velez , Elisabeth A. Wilde 2,3,4 , Sylvain Bouix 5,
1,2
1
1
7
Carlos A. Jaramillo , Jeffrey D. Lewis , and Michael Weisend 8
6
1 Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri – Saint Louis, St.Louis, MO, USA
2 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabiliatation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
3 Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
4 Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
5 Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
6 Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
7 Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine,
Bethseda, MD, USA
8 Rio Grande Neurosciences, Dayton, OH, USA

Neuromodulation is a growing industry that promises to treat many disabling psychiatric
(e.g., mood disorders) and other neurologic disorders (e.g., stroke). Given these claims, it
is important to advocate for research to examine these assertions so that the best interests
of patients and the general public are protected. With this in mind, this review examines
the current literature regarding three commonly used neuromodulation methods (cranial
stimulation therapy (CES), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcranial
magnetic therapy (TMS)), focusing on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods of assessing
any therapeutic effects. Currently, the effort to validate these methods using state-of-the-art
MRI methods is in its infancy though there are a growing number of studies that demonstrate
objective MRI findings that illustrate therapeutic effects. The possible benefits of using MRI
to study the biological underpinnings of any neuromodulation effects, to improve delivery of
treatment, and to further the science of neuromodulation are described along with suggestions
for future research directions.
Key words: Neuromodulation; Direct current stimulation; Cranial electrotherapy stimula-
tion; MRI; Transcranial magnetic stimulation; DTI

INTRODUCTION applications for which this technology can be used
Neuromodulation as a means of treatment for (e.g., insomnia, pain management, major depression,
various disorders and/or of augmenting brain activity and anxiety) with very few side effects or safety con-
to enhance learning or therapeutic effects has recently cerns. For these reasons, there is a growing interest
garnered a substantial amount of clinical and research in these technologies that warrants research consid-
interest. There are now a number of indications and eration to further establish efficacy and elucidate the
_____________________

Accepted December 10, 2015.
Address correspondence to David F. Tate, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Research, Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH), University of
Missouri – Saint Louis, 4633 World Parkway Circle, St.Louis, MO 63134-3115, USA. Tel: +1 (314) 516-8409; E-mail: David.Tate@mimh.edu

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