Could cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation modulate the power spectral density of alpha-band in migrainous occipital lobe?

OBJECTIVE

To identify the correlation between cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and the power spectral density (PSD) of alpha-band on the occipital lobe of migraineurs.

METHODS

Firstly, a cross-sectional study was performed to compare the PSD of alpha-band in the occipital cortex of 25 migraineurs versus 10 healthy volunteers in resting state and during repetitive light stimuli (RLS). Secondly, the patients participated in 12 sessions of cathodal (n = 11) or sham tDCS (n = 10) over the primary visual cortex (V1) to investigate the alpha-band PSD.

RESULTS

The alpha-band PSD on the occipital cortex was higher in migraineurs than healthy subjects in resting state and lower during the first train of RLS. Cathodal tDCS over the V1 reduced the alpha-band occipital activity in resting state but did not interfere with the functional responses to RLS when light stimulation was turned on.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the occipital cortex of migraineurs is hypoactive in the baseline condition, but becomes hyperactive when stimulated by light. Cathodal tDCS over the V1 decreases baseline alpha PSD in patients, possibly modulating the involved neuronal circuitries, but it cannot interfere once photic stimulation starts.