Synchronizing Brain Rhythms to Improve Cognition

Impaired cognition is common in many neuropsychiatric disorders and severely compromises quality of life. Synchronous electrophysiological rhythms represent a core mechanism for sculpting communication dynamics among large-scale brain networks that underpin cognition and its breakdown in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we review an emerging neuromodulation technology called transcranial alternating current stimulation that has shown remarkable early results in rapidly improving various domains of human cognition by modulating properties of rhythmic network synchronization. Future noninvasive neuromodulation research holds promise for potentially rescuing network activity patterns and improving cognition, setting groundwork for the development of drug-free, circuit-based therapeutics for people with cognitive brain disorders.

Automated summary

Impaired cognition is common in neuropsychiatric disorders, and synchronous electrophysiological rhythms play a key role in communication dynamics among brain networks. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has shown promising results in improving human cognition by modulating network synchronization, offering potential for noninvasive therapies for cognitive brain disorders.