Project:

Arnold tongue for better stimulation and better cognition

Mentor (Advisor):

RNDr. Eugen Kvašňák, Ph.D.

Department:

Department of medical biophysics and informatics

Contact information:

eugen.kvasnak@lf3.cuni.cz, 26710 2304

Project Narrative:

Arnold's tongue refers to a visual representation of the combination of stimulus parameters (frequency and amplitude) of external electrical stimulation that successfully "entrains" together the internal oscillatory system of cortical neurons. Thus, "entrainment" is the gradual phase coupling and synchronization of endogenous dynamics with an exogenously applied periodic force, such as an alternating electric current. Knowledge and use of this system is critically important for the use of transcranial alternating current electrical stimulation (tACS), which is promising trend in non-invasive brain stimulation. Arnold's tongue is shaped like an isosceles triangle in a plot of the dependence of stimulus current intensities and frequencies, centered on the frequency of endogenous oscillations. The aim of the project is to map (frequency x intensity) the "Arnold's tongue" in 20 volunteers solving working memory tasks and to compare the effectiveness of frontal tACS with frequency at the peak of the Arnold's tongue with frequencies 1 Hz higher and lower, respectively.

Requirements for student applicants:

Completed university education (Master) in general medicine, or, psychology or natural sciences or biological signal processing.