The effect of combined transcranial direct current stimulation and peripheral nerve electrical stimulation on corticospinal excitability

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and peripheral nerve electrical stimulation (PES) can change corticospinal excitability. tDCS can be used to non-invasively modulate the cerebral cortex’s excitability by applying weak current to an electrode attached to the head, and the effect varies with the electrode’s polarity. Previous studies have reported the effect of combined tDCS and PES on corticospinal excitability; when compared to single stimulation, combined stimulation increases cortical excitability. In contrast, another study reported that the effect of tDCS is attenuated by PES; hence, there is no consensus opinion on the effect on combined stimulation. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the effect of combined tDCS and PES on corticospinal excitability. In Experiment 1, the combined stimulation of anodal tDCS and PES (anodal tDCS + PES) was performed, and in Experiment 2, a combined stimulation with PES, after cathodal tDCS (PES after cathodal tDCS), was performed using a homeostatic metaplasticity theoretical model. In Experiment 1, anodal tDCS produced a significant increase from baseline in motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude 10 min after stimulation, but no significant changes in MEP amplitude were observed with PES or the anodal tDCS + PES condition. Experiment 2 showed a significant decrease in MEP amplitude immediately after cathodal tDCS, and a significant increase in MEP amplitude 15 min after PES, but no significant change in MEP amplitude was observed with sequential PES following cathodal tDCS. In conclusion, our data indicate that PES with anodal tDCS suppressed the effect of tDCS. Also, PES after cathodal tDCS did not induce homeostatic metaplasticity and increase corticospinal excitability.