TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhancing visual perception by modulating prestimulus alpha and beta power with tRNS
AU - Wei, Jinwen
AU - Zou, Huiru
AU - Tang, Qianyuan
AU - Yao, Ziqing
AU - Huang, Gan
AU - Liang, Zhen
AU - Zhang, Li
AU - Ren, Lijie
AU - Cai, Xiaodong
AU - Yao, Chen
AU - Zhou, Changsong
AU - Zhang, Zhiguo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
Publisher Copyright:
This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant numbers 82272114, 32361143787); in part by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant numbers ZDSYS202306260912 03008, JCYJ20240813141105007, JCYJ20220818100213029); in part by the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science – Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions (Grant number 2023SHIBS0003); in part by the Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases (Grant number LCYSSQ20220823091204009); in part by the Hong Kong Research Grant Council Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS2324-2S05); and in part by Shenzhen’s Sanming Project of Medicine (Grant number SZSM202111009).
PY - 2025/8/8
Y1 - 2025/8/8
N2 - Visual variability is linked to prestimulus alpha (8–13 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) power fluctuations, yet their causal role remains unclear. Using transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), we tested whether externally modulating cortical excitability could influence these oscillations and alter perception. In a sham-controlled, within-subject design, 29 participants completed a visual detection task combined with electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recordings. Mental fatigue was modelled as a state-dependent factor. tRNS, primarily under low fatigue, increased online oxyhemoglobin (HbO) amplitude, suppressed offline prestimulus alpha and beta power, and reduced offline visual contrast threshold (VCT), indicating enhanced perception. Further analyses revealed that fatigue influenced the oscillations’ responsiveness to tRNS, and that under low fatigue, alpha power, more than beta, demonstrated greater functional sensitivity to VCT. These findings demonstrate that tRNS can improve perception by modulating alpha/beta oscillations in specific brain states, highlighting the role of brain state in neuromodulation efficacy.
AB - Visual variability is linked to prestimulus alpha (8–13 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) power fluctuations, yet their causal role remains unclear. Using transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), we tested whether externally modulating cortical excitability could influence these oscillations and alter perception. In a sham-controlled, within-subject design, 29 participants completed a visual detection task combined with electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recordings. Mental fatigue was modelled as a state-dependent factor. tRNS, primarily under low fatigue, increased online oxyhemoglobin (HbO) amplitude, suppressed offline prestimulus alpha and beta power, and reduced offline visual contrast threshold (VCT), indicating enhanced perception. Further analyses revealed that fatigue influenced the oscillations’ responsiveness to tRNS, and that under low fatigue, alpha power, more than beta, demonstrated greater functional sensitivity to VCT. These findings demonstrate that tRNS can improve perception by modulating alpha/beta oscillations in specific brain states, highlighting the role of brain state in neuromodulation efficacy.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012862856
U2 - 10.1038/s42003-025-08600-z
DO - 10.1038/s42003-025-08600-z
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 40781150
AN - SCOPUS:105012862856
SN - 2399-3642
VL - 8
JO - Communications Biology
JF - Communications Biology
IS - 1
M1 - 1182
ER -