Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (2): 491-501.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00836

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Neuromodulation techniques for modulating cognitive function: Enhancing stimulation precision and intervention effects

Hanwen Cao1, 2, Li Shang1, 2, Deheng Hu1, 2, Jianbing Huang1, 2, Yu Wang1, 2, Ming Li1, 2, Yilin Song1, 2, Qianzi Yang3 , Yan Luo3 , Ying Wang3, *, Xinxia Cai1, 2, *, Juntao Liu1, 2, *   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;  2 School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;  3 Department of Anesthesiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
  • Online:2026-02-15 Published:2025-05-20
  • Contact: Ying Wang, MD, wy10879@rjh.com.cn; Xinxia Cai, PhD, xxcai@mail.ie.ac.cn; Juntao Liu, PhD, liujuntao@mail.ie.ac.cn.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by STI 2030 – Major Projects, No. 2021ZD0201603 (to JL); the Joint Foundation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 8091A170201 (to JL); the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nos. T2293730 (to XC), T2293731 (to XC), T2293734 (to XC), 62471291 (to YW), 62121003 (to XC), 61960206012 (to XC), 62333020 (to XC), and 62171434 (to XC); the National Key Research and Development Program of China, Nos. 2022YFC2402501 (to XC), 2022YFB3205602 (to XC).

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Abstract: Neuromodulation techniques effectively intervene in cognitive function, holding considerable scientific and practical value in fields such as aerospace, medicine, life sciences, and brain research. These techniques utilize electrical stimulation to directly or indirectly target specific brain regions, modulating neural activity and influencing broader brain networks, thereby regulating cognitive function. Regulating cognitive function involves an understanding of aspects such as perception, learning and memory, attention, spatial cognition, and physical function. To enhance the application of cognitive regulation in the general population, this paper reviews recent publications from the Web of Science to assess the advancements and challenges of invasive and non-invasive stimulation methods in modulating cognitive functions. This review covers various neuromodulation techniques for cognitive intervention, including deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and invasive methods using microelectrode arrays. The non-invasive techniques discussed include transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial alternating current stimulation, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, and time interference stimulation for activating deep targets. Invasive stimulation methods, which are ideal for studying the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, tend to cause greater trauma and have been less researched in the context of cognitive function regulation. Non-invasive methods, particularly newer transcranial stimulation techniques, are gentler and more appropriate for regulating cognitive functions in the general population. These include transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation using acupoints and time interference methods for activating deep targets. This paper also discusses current technical challenges and potential future breakthroughs in neuromodulation technology. It is recommended that neuromodulation techniques be combined with neural detection methods to better assess their effects and improve the accuracy of non-invasive neuromodulation. Additionally, researching closed-loop feedback neuromodulation methods is identified as a promising direction for future development.

Key words: acupuncture points, attention, brain, cognition, efficiency, electrical stimulation, microelectrodes, movement disorders, nervous system, perception