This article describes a protocol for non-invasive electrical brain stimulation (NEBS) targeting motor neurons. The procedure involves careful electrode placement and preparation to enhance conductivity and ensure participant safety.
Begin with rubber electrodes connected to the electrode cables and insert them into sponge bags.
Soak the bags with an isotonic sodium chloride solution to ensure uniform conductivity at the skin interface.
Insert the electrode-holding bags into non-conductive covers to prevent solution leakage.
Locate the pre-marked spot on the scalp of a human participant, clean, and dry it.
Position the anode, or positive electrode, over the marked area that contains the motor neurons responsible for muscle movement.
Place the cathode, or negative electrode, above the eyebrow on the opposite side of the head. This completes the electrical circuit.
Secure the electrodes to maintain stable contact.
Secure the cables and connect them to a non-invasive electrical brain stimulation device.
Initiate the stimulation. The current excites the motor neurons.
Excited neurons transmit signals through motor networks, enhancing motor neuron activity and reflecting the effects of targeted electrical stimulation.
Connect cables to rubber electrodes, and place the electrodes inside the sponge bags. Ensure that the electrode size and sponge bag size match. Soak sponge bags on both sides with isotonic sodium chloride solution, but avoid excessive soaking to prevent salt bridges, or dripping onto the volunteer.
Next, find the head markings indicating the motor cortical hot spot, and separate the hair around the area. To improve conductance, clean the skin before electrode placement with a swab soaked with 40 to 50 percent alcohol, or skin preparation paste. Remove excess with a swab, and clean the area again with isotonic sodium chloride solution.
Dry the area afterwards. Place one electrode on the head marking for the motor cortex area of interest, and keep the sponge in direct contact with the skin as much as possible. For unilateral stimulation, place the second electrode over the contralateral supra-orbital area.
Place all of the electrode cables towards the participants back, to avoid disturbance during stimulation, and to ease connection to the non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, or NEBS device. Then, cover the head twice, with an elastic bandage, circularly in the mediolateral direction, to stabilize the M1 electrode.
Use the remaining bandage to cover the head circularly in the anterior posterior direction, to stabilize both electrodes. Use adhesive tape to fix the end of the bandage, and secure the cables with adhesive tape on the participant's neck, or shirt. Finally, connect the electrode cables to a NEBS device.
Begin by switching on NEBS device. Adjust the NEBS device settings, regarding stimulation type, intensity, duration, ramping up and down, and frequency spectrum for transcranial random noise stimulation. Next, inform the participant about potential side effects associated with NEBS.Then start the stimulation, and check for continuity of stimulation, during ramping up, and throughout the session.
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