Review

Network Theory and Effects of Transcranial Brain Stimulation Methods on the Brain Networks

10.4274/haseki.1762

  • Sema Demirci
  • Lütfü Hanoğlu

Received Date: 31.03.2014 Accepted Date: 11.05.2014 Med Bull Haseki 2014;52(4):238-247

In recent years, there has been a shift from classic localizational approaches to new approaches where the brain is considered as a complex system. Therefore, there has been an increase in the number of studies involving collaborations with other areas of neurology in order to develop methods to understand the complex systems. One of the new approaches is graphic theory that has principles based on mathematics and physics. According to this theory, the functional-anatomical connections of the brain are defined as a network. Moreover, transcranial brain stimulation techniques are amongst the recent research and treatment methods that have been commonly used in recent years. Changes that occur as a result of applying brain stimulation techniques on physiological and pathological networks help better understand the normal and abnormal functions of the brain, especially when combined with techniques such as neuroimaging and electroencephalography. This review aims to provide an overview of the applications of graphic theory and related parameters, studies conducted on brain functions in neurology and neuroscience, and applications of brain stimulation systems in the changing treatment of brain network models and treatment of pathological networks defined on the basis of this theory.

Keywords: Brain networks, transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional connectivity, graphic theory

Full Text (Turkish)