psy280 - Transcranial Brain Stimulation (Complete module description)

psy280 - Transcranial Brain Stimulation (Complete module description)

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Module label Transcranial Brain Stimulation
Modulkürzel psy280
Credit points 6.0 KP
Workload 180 h
Institute directory Department of Psychology
Verwendbarkeit des Moduls
  • Master's Programme Neurocognitive Psychology (Master) > Mastermodule
Zuständige Personen
  • Herrmann, Christoph Siegfried (module responsibility)
  • Herrmann, Christoph Siegfried (Prüfungsberechtigt)
  • Strüber, Daniel (Prüfungsberechtigt)
Prerequisites
Enrolment in Master’s programme Neurocognitive Psychology.
Skills to be acquired in this module
Goals of module:
Students will gain theoretical and practical knowledge on various non-invasive brain stimulation
techniques.


Competencies:
++ Neuropsychological / neurophysiological knowledge
++ experimental methods
+ statistics & scientific programming
+ scientific literature
+ ethics / good scientific practice / professional behaviour
Module contents
In this module, we will introduce the theoretical concepts, neurophysiological underpinnings and
neurocognitive as well as clinical applications of various non-invasive brain stimulation
techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current
stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), and transcranial random
noise stimulation (tRNS). A focus will be tACS, because it is especially suited to modulate brain
oscillations which have been shown to correlate with cognitive processes.


Part 1: Introduction to transcranial brain stimulation (lecture): summer
  • Historical overview of brain stimulation
  • Different techniques (TMS, tDCS, tACS, tRNS)
  • Physiological mechanisms (entrainment, after-effects etc.)
  • The use of transcranial brain stimulation in cognitive neuroscience - Experimental parameters (intensity, electrode montage, etc.)
  • Pros and cons of TMS vs. tACS
  • Technical aspects (artefact correction, modelling current flow, etc.)
  • Safety issues
  • Ethical considerations of brain stimulation
Part 2: Effects of tACS on physiology and cognition (seminar): summer
  • Physiology of tACS (on-line and after-effects)
  • Modulating cognitive functions (e.g. memory, attention, and perception)
  • Clinical applications of tACS
  • Hands-on experience in the lab
Literaturempfehlungen
  • Miniussi et al. Transcranial brain stimulation, CRC Press, 2013.
  • Kadosh. The stimulated brain, Academic Press, 2014.
Links
Language of instruction English
Duration (semesters) 1 Semester
Module frequency The module will be offered every summer term.
Module capacity 10
Reference text
We strongly recommend to take either psy170, psy270, psy280, or psy220 to gain methodological competencies (EEG, fMRI, TBS, HCI) that are needed for most practical projects and Master's thesis!
Type of module Wahlpflicht / Elective
Module level MM (Mastermodul / Master module)
Teaching/Learning method Part 1: lecture; Part 2: seminar
Lehrveranstaltungsform Comment SWS Frequency Workload of compulsory attendance
Lecture 2 SoSe 28
Seminar 2 SoSe 28
Präsenzzeit Modul insgesamt 56 h
Examination Prüfungszeiten Type of examination
Final exam of module
during summer term
Oral presentation in the seminar.

Required active participation for gaining credits:
attendance of at least 70% in the seminar within one semester (will be checked in StudIP).