Vibroacoustic Stimulation and Brain Oscillation: From Basic Research to Clinical Application

Authors

  • Lee R. Bartel University of Toronto
  • Robert Chen Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto.
  • Claude Alain Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, University of Toronto
  • Bernhard Ross Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, University of Toronto,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v9i3.542

Abstract

Abstract: This paper addresses the importance of steady state brain oscillation for brain connectivity and cognition. Given that a healthy brain maintains particular levels of oscillatory activity, it argues that disturbances or dysrhythmias of this oscillatory activity can be implicated in common health conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s Disease, pain, and depression. Literature is reviewed that shows that electric stimulation of the brain can contribute to regulation of neural oscillatory activity and the alleviation of related health conditions. It is then argued that specific frequencies of sound in their vibratory nature can serve as a means to brain stimulation through auditory and vibrotactile means and as such can contribute to regulation of oscillatory activity. The frequencies employed and found effective in electric stimulation are reviewed with the intent of guiding the selection of sound frequencies for vibroacoustic stimulation in the treatment of AD, PD, Pain, and depression.

Author Biographies

Lee R. Bartel, University of Toronto

Lee Bartel, PhD is Professor in the Faculty of Music with Appointments in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and the Institute of Life Course and Aging at the University of Toronto and was the Founding Director of the Music and Health Research Collaboratory.  

Robert Chen, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto.

Robert E W Chen, MA, MSc. is Senior Scientist in the Krembil Research Institute in the University Health Network and Professor in the Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, at the University of Toronto with special interest in the organization of cortical inhibitory and excitatory pathways in the human motor cortex, pathophysiology of movement disorders, the mechanisms of action of deep brain stimulation as a treatment of movement disorders.

Claude Alain, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, University of Toronto

Claude Alain, PhD is Assistant Director and Senior Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, and Professor in the Department of Psychology and in the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto with a specialization in cognitive neuroscience and focus on the brain processes that mediate perception and cognition of auditory patterns and events, specifically short-term memory and selective attention. 

Bernhard Ross, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, University of Toronto,

Bernhard Ross, PhD, is Senior Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute at the Baycrest Centre, Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto, and heads the MEG laboratory with special interest in neuromagnetic studies of auditory-motor functions and music-supported rehabilitation of stoke patients.    

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Published

2017-07-28

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2017)

Section

Full Length Articles