Behaviourally driven closed-loop beta-tACS enhances beta activity and motor behaviour

Abstract

Abstract Movement-related beta event-related synchronization (ERS) has been linked to motor control and learning, showing potential as a therapeutic target for those with movement deficits, such as stroke survivors. However, whether directly modulating beta ERS can causally influence motor performance remains unclear, largely due to the lack of methods designed to specifically target this neural activity. To address this gap, we developed a behaviourally-driven, closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) approach to target movement-related beta ERS during a visuomotor adaptation task. We found that the behaviourally-driven, closed-loop beta-tACS specifically enhances beta ERS without affecting beta event-related desynchronization (ERD). Critically, this targeted enhancement significantly improves retention of motor adaptation. These findings support a functional role of beta ERS in motor behaviour and suggest that behaviourally-driven beta-tACS may provide a promising approach to further test the mechanistic links between beta ERS and behavioural outcomes in clinical populations.