Our Publications and Patents

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive current stimulation can induce neuroplastic changes in the normal brain, including visual system structures. Because it is not known if such plasticity is of clinical value, we wished to learn if vision restoration can be induced after optic nerve damage. METHODS: In an open-label, clinical observational study 446 patients with optic nerve lesions were treated with non-invasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). Current bursts (<1000 μA, 5-20 Hz) were applied to induce phosphenes for one or two 10-day stimulation periods. Efficacy was assessed by monocular measurements of visual acuity and visual field (VF) size. EEG recordings at rest (n = 68) were made before and after treatment and global power spectra changes were analyzed. RESULTS: rtACS improved VF size in the right and left eye by 7.1% and 9.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. VF enlargements were present in 40.4% of right and 49.5% of left eyes. Visual acuity (VA) significantly increased in both eyes (right = 0.02, left = 0.015; p < 0.001). A second 10-day course was conducted 6 months in a subset of 62 patients and resulted in additional significant improvements of VA. Analysis of EEG power spectra revealed that VA and VF improvements were associated with increased alpha power. Increased theta power was observed in patients with optic nerve damage that had only VF enlargements but no VA change. In contrast, non-responders had increased delta power spectra in frontal and occipital areas. CONCLUSIONS: rtACS leads to long-lasting improvements in VA and VF size and after-effects in EEG power spectra. Because physiological and clinical parameters are correlated we hypothesize that rtACS enhances plasticity by inducing synchronization in different cortical regions, but the precise mechanisms needs further clarification. These encouraging results require confirmation by controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of post-stroke deficits can be achieved by modulating neuroplasticity with non-invasive brain stimulation. To evaluate potential effects of repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) on stroke recovery we carried out a randomized, drug-controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients that had suffered ischemic stroke 21.4 months earlier were randomly assigned to either group D (n=30) receiving conventional drug therapy, group ACS (n=32) treated for 12 days with rtACS, or group D/ACS (n=36) receiving combined drug therapy/rtACS. Stroke severity level (SSL) was assessed by the NIH-NINDS stroke scale before and after treatment and at a 1-month follow-up to evaluate motor impairments (weakness, ataxia), sensory loss, visual field defects, and cortical deficits (aphasia, neglect). At each time point standard EEG recordings (10-20 system) were conducted. RESULTS: Before therapy SSL was moderate (9.18 ± 0.78) without significant group difference (F =0.86, p=0.43). After 12 days of treatment, SSLs of groups ACS and D/ACS significantly improved by 22.5% and 25.1% over baseline, respectively, with no such change in the control group D (+3%). SSL improvements were mainly due to recovery of motor, sensory, and speech functions. After 1-month follow-up, an additional improvement of 9.7% and 9.4% was seen for the group ACS and D/ACS which led to a total change of +32.3% and +34.7% over baseline. EEG recordings revealed greater interhemispheric synchrony between both temporal lobes which were positively correlated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive rtACS applied to post-stroke patients can modulate brain plasticity and induce recovery from neurological deficits long after the early post lesion recovery is over.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive current stimulation can induce neuroplastic changes in the normal brain, including visual system structures. Because it is not known if such plasticity is of clinical value, we wished to learn if vision restoration can be induced after optic nerve damage. METHODS: In an open-label, clinical observational study 446 patients with optic nerve lesions were treated with non-invasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). Current bursts (<1000 μA, 5-20 Hz) were applied to induce phosphenes for one or two 10-day stimulation periods. Efficacy was assessed by monocular measurements of visual acuity and visual field (VF) size. EEG recordings at rest (n = 68) were made before and after treatment and global power spectra changes were analyzed. RESULTS: rtACS improved VF size in the right and left eye by 7.1% and 9.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. VF enlargements were present in 40.4% of right and 49.5% of left eyes. Visual acuity (VA) significantly increased in both eyes (right = 0.02, left = 0.015; p < 0.001). A second 10-day course was conducted 6 months in a subset of 62 patients and resulted in additional significant improvements of VA. Analysis of EEG power spectra revealed that VA and VF improvements were associated with increased alpha power. Increased theta power was observed in patients with optic nerve damage that had only VF enlargements but no VA change. In contrast, non-responders had increased delta power spectra in frontal and occipital areas. CONCLUSIONS: rtACS leads to long-lasting improvements in VA and VF size and after-effects in EEG power spectra. Because physiological and clinical parameters are correlated we hypothesize that rtACS enhances plasticity by inducing synchronization in different cortical regions, but the precise mechanisms needs further clarification. These encouraging results require confirmation by controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive current stimulation can induce neuroplastic changes in the normal brain, including visual system structures. Because it is not known if such plasticity is of clinical value, we wished to learn if vision restoration can be induced after optic nerve damage. METHODS: In an open-label, clinical observational study 446 patients with optic nerve lesions were treated with non-invasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). Current bursts (<1000 μA, 5-20 Hz) were applied to induce phosphenes for one or two 10-day stimulation periods. Efficacy was assessed by monocular measurements of visual acuity and visual field (VF) size. EEG recordings at rest (n = 68) were made before and after treatment and global power spectra changes were analyzed. RESULTS: rtACS improved VF size in the right and left eye by 7.1% and 9.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. VF enlargements were present in 40.4% of right and 49.5% of left eyes. Visual acuity (VA) significantly increased in both eyes (right = 0.02, left = 0.015; p < 0.001). A second 10-day course was conducted 6 months in a subset of 62 patients and resulted in additional significant improvements of VA. Analysis of EEG power spectra revealed that VA and VF improvements were associated with increased alpha power. Increased theta power was observed in patients with optic nerve damage that had only VF enlargements but no VA change. In contrast, non-responders had increased delta power spectra in frontal and occipital areas. CONCLUSIONS: rtACS leads to long-lasting improvements in VA and VF size and after-effects in EEG power spectra. Because physiological and clinical parameters are correlated we hypothesize that rtACS enhances plasticity by inducing synchronization in different cortical regions, but the precise mechanisms needs further clarification. These encouraging results require confirmation by controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive current stimulation can induce neuroplastic changes in the normal brain, including visual system structures. Because it is not known if such plasticity is of clinical value, we wished to learn if vision restoration can be induced after optic nerve damage. METHODS: In an open-label, clinical observational study 446 patients with optic nerve lesions were treated with non-invasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). Current bursts (<1000 μA, 5-20 Hz) were applied to induce phosphenes for one or two 10-day stimulation periods. Efficacy was assessed by monocular measurements of visual acuity and visual field (VF) size. EEG recordings at rest (n = 68) were made before and after treatment and global power spectra changes were analyzed. RESULTS: rtACS improved VF size in the right and left eye by 7.1% and 9.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. VF enlargements were present in 40.4% of right and 49.5% of left eyes. Visual acuity (VA) significantly increased in both eyes (right = 0.02, left = 0.015; p < 0.001). A second 10-day course was conducted 6 months in a subset of 62 patients and resulted in additional significant improvements of VA. Analysis of EEG power spectra revealed that VA and VF improvements were associated with increased alpha power. Increased theta power was observed in patients with optic nerve damage that had only VF enlargements but no VA change. In contrast, non-responders had increased delta power spectra in frontal and occipital areas. CONCLUSIONS: rtACS leads to long-lasting improvements in VA and VF size and after-effects in EEG power spectra. Because physiological and clinical parameters are correlated we hypothesize that rtACS enhances plasticity by inducing synchronization in different cortical regions, but the precise mechanisms needs further clarification. These encouraging results require confirmation by controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive current stimulation can induce neuroplastic changes in the normal brain, including visual system structures. Because it is not known if such plasticity is of clinical value, we wished to learn if vision restoration can be induced after optic nerve damage. METHODS: In an open-label, clinical observational study 446 patients with optic nerve lesions were treated with non-invasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). Current bursts (<1000 μA, 5-20 Hz) were applied to induce phosphenes for one or two 10-day stimulation periods. Efficacy was assessed by monocular measurements of visual acuity and visual field (VF) size. EEG recordings at rest (n = 68) were made before and after treatment and global power spectra changes were analyzed. RESULTS: rtACS improved VF size in the right and left eye by 7.1% and 9.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. VF enlargements were present in 40.4% of right and 49.5% of left eyes. Visual acuity (VA) significantly increased in both eyes (right = 0.02, left = 0.015; p < 0.001). A second 10-day course was conducted 6 months in a subset of 62 patients and resulted in additional significant improvements of VA. Analysis of EEG power spectra revealed that VA and VF improvements were associated with increased alpha power. Increased theta power was observed in patients with optic nerve damage that had only VF enlargements but no VA change. In contrast, non-responders had increased delta power spectra in frontal and occipital areas. CONCLUSIONS: rtACS leads to long-lasting improvements in VA and VF size and after-effects in EEG power spectra. Because physiological and clinical parameters are correlated we hypothesize that rtACS enhances plasticity by inducing synchronization in different cortical regions, but the precise mechanisms needs further clarification. These encouraging results require confirmation by controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive current stimulation can induce neuroplastic changes in the normal brain, including visual system structures. Because it is not known if such plasticity is of clinical value, we wished to learn if vision restoration can be induced after optic nerve damage. METHODS: In an open-label, clinical observational study 446 patients with optic nerve lesions were treated with non-invasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). Current bursts (<1000 μA, 5-20 Hz) were applied to induce phosphenes for one or two 10-day stimulation periods. Efficacy was assessed by monocular measurements of visual acuity and visual field (VF) size. EEG recordings at rest (n = 68) were made before and after treatment and global power spectra changes were analyzed. RESULTS: rtACS improved VF size in the right and left eye by 7.1% and 9.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. VF enlargements were present in 40.4% of right and 49.5% of left eyes. Visual acuity (VA) significantly increased in both eyes (right = 0.02, left = 0.015; p < 0.001). A second 10-day course was conducted 6 months in a subset of 62 patients and resulted in additional significant improvements of VA. Analysis of EEG power spectra revealed that VA and VF improvements were associated with increased alpha power. Increased theta power was observed in patients with optic nerve damage that had only VF enlargements but no VA change. In contrast, non-responders had increased delta power spectra in frontal and occipital areas. CONCLUSIONS: rtACS leads to long-lasting improvements in VA and VF size and after-effects in EEG power spectra. Because physiological and clinical parameters are correlated we hypothesize that rtACS enhances plasticity by inducing synchronization in different cortical regions, but the precise mechanisms needs further clarification. These encouraging results require confirmation by controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive current stimulation can induce neuroplastic changes in the normal brain, including visual system structures. Because it is not known if such plasticity is of clinical value, we wished to learn if vision restoration can be induced after optic nerve damage. METHODS: In an open-label, clinical observational study 446 patients with optic nerve lesions were treated with non-invasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). Current bursts (<1000 μA, 5-20 Hz) were applied to induce phosphenes for one or two 10-day stimulation periods. Efficacy was assessed by monocular measurements of visual acuity and visual field (VF) size. EEG recordings at rest (n = 68) were made before and after treatment and global power spectra changes were analyzed. RESULTS: rtACS improved VF size in the right and left eye by 7.1% and 9.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. VF enlargements were present in 40.4% of right and 49.5% of left eyes. Visual acuity (VA) significantly increased in both eyes (right = 0.02, left = 0.015; p < 0.001). A second 10-day course was conducted 6 months in a subset of 62 patients and resulted in additional significant improvements of VA. Analysis of EEG power spectra revealed that VA and VF improvements were associated with increased alpha power. Increased theta power was observed in patients with optic nerve damage that had only VF enlargements but no VA change. In contrast, non-responders had increased delta power spectra in frontal and occipital areas. CONCLUSIONS: rtACS leads to long-lasting improvements in VA and VF size and after-effects in EEG power spectra. Because physiological and clinical parameters are correlated we hypothesize that rtACS enhances plasticity by inducing synchronization in different cortical regions, but the precise mechanisms needs further clarification. These encouraging results require confirmation by controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of post-stroke deficits can be achieved by modulating neuroplasticity with non-invasive brain stimulation. To evaluate potential effects of repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) on stroke recovery we carried out a randomized, drug-controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients that had suffered ischemic stroke 21.4 months earlier were randomly assigned to either group D (n=30) receiving conventional drug therapy, group ACS (n=32) treated for 12 days with rtACS, or group D/ACS (n=36) receiving combined drug therapy/rtACS. Stroke severity level (SSL) was assessed by the NIH-NINDS stroke scale before and after treatment and at a 1-month follow-up to evaluate motor impairments (weakness, ataxia), sensory loss, visual field defects, and cortical deficits (aphasia, neglect). At each time point standard EEG recordings (10-20 system) were conducted. RESULTS: Before therapy SSL was moderate (9.18 ± 0.78) without significant group difference (F =0.86, p=0.43). After 12 days of treatment, SSLs of groups ACS and D/ACS significantly improved by 22.5% and 25.1% over baseline, respectively, with no such change in the control group D (+3%). SSL improvements were mainly due to recovery of motor, sensory, and speech functions. After 1-month follow-up, an additional improvement of 9.7% and 9.4% was seen for the group ACS and D/ACS which led to a total change of +32.3% and +34.7% over baseline. EEG recordings revealed greater interhemispheric synchrony between both temporal lobes which were positively correlated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive rtACS applied to post-stroke patients can modulate brain plasticity and induce recovery from neurological deficits long after the early post lesion recovery is over.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of post-stroke deficits can be achieved by modulating neuroplasticity with non-invasive brain stimulation. To evaluate potential effects of repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) on stroke recovery we carried out a randomized, drug-controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients that had suffered ischemic stroke 21.4 months earlier were randomly assigned to either group D (n=30) receiving conventional drug therapy, group ACS (n=32) treated for 12 days with rtACS, or group D/ACS (n=36) receiving combined drug therapy/rtACS. Stroke severity level (SSL) was assessed by the NIH-NINDS stroke scale before and after treatment and at a 1-month follow-up to evaluate motor impairments (weakness, ataxia), sensory loss, visual field defects, and cortical deficits (aphasia, neglect). At each time point standard EEG recordings (10-20 system) were conducted. RESULTS: Before therapy SSL was moderate (9.18 ± 0.78) without significant group difference (F =0.86, p=0.43). After 12 days of treatment, SSLs of groups ACS and D/ACS significantly improved by 22.5% and 25.1% over baseline, respectively, with no such change in the control group D (+3%). SSL improvements were mainly due to recovery of motor, sensory, and speech functions. After 1-month follow-up, an additional improvement of 9.7% and 9.4% was seen for the group ACS and D/ACS which led to a total change of +32.3% and +34.7% over baseline. EEG recordings revealed greater interhemispheric synchrony between both temporal lobes which were positively correlated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive rtACS applied to post-stroke patients can modulate brain plasticity and induce recovery from neurological deficits long after the early post lesion recovery is over.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of post-stroke deficits can be achieved by modulating neuroplasticity with non-invasive brain stimulation. To evaluate potential effects of repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) on stroke recovery we carried out a randomized, drug-controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients that had suffered ischemic stroke 21.4 months earlier were randomly assigned to either group D (n=30) receiving conventional drug therapy, group ACS (n=32) treated for 12 days with rtACS, or group D/ACS (n=36) receiving combined drug therapy/rtACS. Stroke severity level (SSL) was assessed by the NIH-NINDS stroke scale before and after treatment and at a 1-month follow-up to evaluate motor impairments (weakness, ataxia), sensory loss, visual field defects, and cortical deficits (aphasia, neglect). At each time point standard EEG recordings (10-20 system) were conducted. RESULTS: Before therapy SSL was moderate (9.18 ± 0.78) without significant group difference (F =0.86, p=0.43). After 12 days of treatment, SSLs of groups ACS and D/ACS significantly improved by 22.5% and 25.1% over baseline, respectively, with no such change in the control group D (+3%). SSL improvements were mainly due to recovery of motor, sensory, and speech functions. After 1-month follow-up, an additional improvement of 9.7% and 9.4% was seen for the group ACS and D/ACS which led to a total change of +32.3% and +34.7% over baseline. EEG recordings revealed greater interhemispheric synchrony between both temporal lobes which were positively correlated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive rtACS applied to post-stroke patients can modulate brain plasticity and induce recovery from neurological deficits long after the early post lesion recovery is over.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of post-stroke deficits can be achieved by modulating neuroplasticity with non-invasive brain stimulation. To evaluate potential effects of repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) on stroke recovery we carried out a randomized, drug-controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients that had suffered ischemic stroke 21.4 months earlier were randomly assigned to either group D (n=30) receiving conventional drug therapy, group ACS (n=32) treated for 12 days with rtACS, or group D/ACS (n=36) receiving combined drug therapy/rtACS. Stroke severity level (SSL) was assessed by the NIH-NINDS stroke scale before and after treatment and at a 1-month follow-up to evaluate motor impairments (weakness, ataxia), sensory loss, visual field defects, and cortical deficits (aphasia, neglect). At each time point standard EEG recordings (10-20 system) were conducted. RESULTS: Before therapy SSL was moderate (9.18 ± 0.78) without significant group difference (F =0.86, p=0.43). After 12 days of treatment, SSLs of groups ACS and D/ACS significantly improved by 22.5% and 25.1% over baseline, respectively, with no such change in the control group D (+3%). SSL improvements were mainly due to recovery of motor, sensory, and speech functions. After 1-month follow-up, an additional improvement of 9.7% and 9.4% was seen for the group ACS and D/ACS which led to a total change of +32.3% and +34.7% over baseline. EEG recordings revealed greater interhemispheric synchrony between both temporal lobes which were positively correlated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive rtACS applied to post-stroke patients can modulate brain plasticity and induce recovery from neurological deficits long after the early post lesion recovery is over.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of post-stroke deficits can be achieved by modulating neuroplasticity with non-invasive brain stimulation. To evaluate potential effects of repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) on stroke recovery we carried out a randomized, drug-controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients that had suffered ischemic stroke 21.4 months earlier were randomly assigned to either group D (n=30) receiving conventional drug therapy, group ACS (n=32) treated for 12 days with rtACS, or group D/ACS (n=36) receiving combined drug therapy/rtACS. Stroke severity level (SSL) was assessed by the NIH-NINDS stroke scale before and after treatment and at a 1-month follow-up to evaluate motor impairments (weakness, ataxia), sensory loss, visual field defects, and cortical deficits (aphasia, neglect). At each time point standard EEG recordings (10-20 system) were conducted. RESULTS: Before therapy SSL was moderate (9.18 ± 0.78) without significant group difference (F =0.86, p=0.43). After 12 days of treatment, SSLs of groups ACS and D/ACS significantly improved by 22.5% and 25.1% over baseline, respectively, with no such change in the control group D (+3%). SSL improvements were mainly due to recovery of motor, sensory, and speech functions. After 1-month follow-up, an additional improvement of 9.7% and 9.4% was seen for the group ACS and D/ACS which led to a total change of +32.3% and +34.7% over baseline. EEG recordings revealed greater interhemispheric synchrony between both temporal lobes which were positively correlated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive rtACS applied to post-stroke patients can modulate brain plasticity and induce recovery from neurological deficits long after the early post lesion recovery is over.