Imaging-Guided Neuromodulation for Brain Cognitive Function Enhancement: Methodological Advances in Targeting, Biomarkers, and Validation

Neuroimaging has become central to cognitive enhancement research, transforming non-invasive neuromodulation from an empirical practice into a mechanistically grounded discipline. Today, neuroregulatory technologies — including transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), TMS, neurofeedback, and emerging modalities such as tFUS and TIS — are routinely paired with fMRI, fNIRS, and EEG. This coupling shifts cognitive enhancement from behavioral observation toward mechanistic exploration: imaging defines cortical targets, monitors interventions in real time, and validates stimulation effects at the network level. Yet critical methodological gaps remain. Artifact contamination in simultaneous stimulation–imaging recordings, multi-site inconsistencies, limited reliability of imaging biomarkers, and weak causal links between stimulation, imaging changes, and cognitive outcomes all constrain reproducibility and individualization.This Research Topic focuses on imaging-guided neuromodulation for cognitive enhancement. We welcome contributions that place imaging at the center: from closed-loop stimulation systems and imaging-derived biomarkers to causal inference frameworks and harmonization challenges. We also invite studies on tDCS/tACS/tRNS effects in healthy populations, imaging verification for tFUS and TIS, and hyperscanning approaches to multi-brain stimulation.We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Closed-loop imaging–stimulation systems for cognitive enhancement: real-time fMRI/fNIRS/EEG-driven control with latency and stability benchmarking.- Transcranial electrical stimulation (tDCS/tACS/tRNS) for cognitive enhancement in healthy populations: fMRI/fNIRS/EEG studies of brain networks and neural markers, and multi-modal imaging to optimize stimulation parameters.- Imaging-derived biomarkers for individualized targeting and response prediction: predictive models of cognitive responder status and test–retest reliability.- Methodological challenges in combining stimulation and imaging: artifact handling, multi-site harmonization, and uncertainty quantification.- Causal inference in stimulation–imaging studies of cognition: frameworks linking stimulation, imaging changes, and cognitive outcomes, including sham-controlled designs.- Validation of imaging markers of stimulation effects on cognition: cross-modal and longitudinal convergent evidence.- Imaging methods for emerging stimulation modalities (tFUS, TIS): focal targeting verification and dose–response quantification.- Imaging methods for multi-brain transcranial electrical stimulation: hyperscanning-based synchronization analysis, interpersonal interaction assessment, methodological adaptation for special populations (MCI, older adults), and ethical frameworks. Topic editors: Hongliang Lu, Danmin Miao, Alejandro Bachiller, Mingming Zhang, Long-Biao Cui Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80263/imaging-guided-neuromodulation-for-brain-cognitive-function-enhancement-methodological-advances-in-targeting-biomarkers-and-validation