Beyond the target area: an integrative view of tDCS-induced motor cortex modulation in patients and athletes

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique used to modulate neural tissue. Neuromodulation apparently improves cognitive functions in several neurologic diseases treatment and sports performance. In this study, we present a comprehensive, integrative review of tDCS for motor rehabilitation and motor learning in healthy individuals, athletes and multiple neurologic and neuropsychiatric conditions. We also report on neuromodulation mechanisms, main applications, current knowledge including areas such as language, embodied cognition, functional and social aspects, and future directions. We present the use and perspectives of new developments in tDCS technology, namely high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) which promises to overcome one of the main tDCS limitation (i.e., low focality) and its application for neurological disease, pain relief, and motor learning/rehabilitation. Finally, we provided information regarding the Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) in clinical applications, Cerebellar tDCS (ctDCS) and its influence on motor learning, and TMS combined with electroencephalography (EEG) as a tool to evaluate tDCS effects on brain function161CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP465686/2014-1Não tem2014/50909-8; 13/10187–0; 14/10134–7The authors thank the Ministry of Education (MEC), FAPESP - São Paulo Research Foundation, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte and Universidade Federal do ABC for its support. Postdoctoral scholarships to DGSM from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Source(s) of financial support: This study was partially funded by grants to MB from NIH (NIH-NIMH 1R01MH111896, NIH-NINDS 1R01NS101362, NIH-NCI U54CA137788/U54CA132378, R03 NS054783) and New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH, DOH01-C31291GG), CEPID/BRAINN - The Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (Process: 13/07559–3) to LML, Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq, Grant # 465686/2014-1) and the São Paulo Research Foundation (Grant # 2014/50909-8) to MSC, and Postdoctoral scholarships to AHO from FAPESP - Sao Paulo Research Foundation (Process: 13/10187–0 and 14/10134–7

Site and plant community parameters drive the effect of vegetation on litterfall and nutrient inputs in restored tropical forests

Background and aimsRestoring healthy ecosystem depends on recovering not only biodiversity, but also ecosystem processes and functionality. We investigated the effects of tree community parameters and site abiotic conditions on nutrient cycling in restored forests.MethodsWe assessed litter production and nutrient inputs in five 16-year old restored forests established using different restoration methods and species combinations, i.e. unplanted control (natural regeneration), direct seeding, agroforestry, mixed commercial species plantation (commercial mix), and high-diversity plantation, replicated at two sites that differed in soil fertility. We used adjacent seasonal semideciduous forest remnants as references.ResultsRestoration treatments with intermediate and high species richness had higher litter and nutrient inputs and did not differ from the reference forest. In the more fertile site, litter and nutrient inputs increased across different treatments with increasing stand density, whereas in the low fertility site, litter and nutrient inputs in the different treatments increased with increasing tree species richness and the proportion of putative nitrogen-fixing tree species.ConclusionsRestoration treatments, even those with low species richness, but with a relatively high proportion of trees with nitrogen-fixing capability might be effective in restoring nutrient cycles in lower fertility soils, whereas in the more fertile soils it is possible to increase nutrient inputs by establishing restoration treatments at high stem densities. Our results suggest that the magnitude of relationships among plant community parameters and nutrient cycling depends strongly on site conditions