Occipital Nerve Stimulation Selectively Modulates Top-down Inhibitory Control

Objective: Here we investigate the effect of occipital nerve stimulation using low-gamma range alternating current on goal-directed and stimulus-driven attention and inhibitory training and performance. We sought to determine if stimulation modulated performance over a two-day period. Methods: We studied this effect in 47 participants recruited in one of two experiments. The goal-directed task used the stop-signal reaction time task (SSRT) during stimulation and stop-change reaction time (SCRT) in a 24-hour follow-up. Stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) and Stop-change reaction time (SCRT) were recorded in seconds, calculated using a non-integration method. SSRT/SCRT and accuracy were used as outcome measures. The stimulus-driven task used a sustained-attention reaction time task (SART), and reaction time and inhibition (NoGo) accuracy were used as outcome measures. Results: Compared to the control group, the stimulation group had improved SCRT 24 hours after combined stimulation and training. No difference in accuracy on either day were present. No difference between groups arose in the SART during training or testing.