There is accumulating evidence that oscillatory activity plays a significant role in regulating brain function. Rhythmic phenomena are routinely observed during perception, motor, and cognitive tasks and have been implicated in altered functions across a broad range of diseases. Several studies suggest that the alpha rhythm gates information flow, beta inhibits changes in motor activity, and gamma reflects intracortical local synchronization. However, so far the understanding of the contribution of these rhythms in determining human behaviour and generating specific symptoms is still limited. Moreover, the relationship between brain oscillations and neural plasticity processes is not fully clear, although recent evidence supports a possible link. For instance, nested oscillations are thought to provide the temporal scaffolding for learning, while enhancing high-gamma activity in motor cortical areas boosts LTP-like plasticity.

We are in an emerging era where we are rapidly garnering the tools to not only observe brain activity, but alter neural processes in a circumscribed manner. Such causal interactions permit deeper understanding of the role of neural oscillations in everyday life and how changes in rhythms can lead to altered function in disease. Noninvasive electrophysiological techniques such as high-density EEG and magnetoencephalography (MEG), invasive recordings of Local Field Potentials (LFPs), and advanced neuroimaging techniques able to (directly or indirectly) infer on brain oscillations are now increasingly combined with different forms of brain stimulation. TMS-EEG and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), for example, allow us to target and causally interact with rhythmic brain activity. These novel approaches provide new opportunities for drawing strong parallels between oscillatory activity and various brain functions, including cortical plasticity processes.

We invite investigators to contribute with original research articles as well as review articles that focus on the study and modulation of physiological and pathological brain oscillations, particularly investigating the interaction between oscillatory activity and neural plasticity.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies providing additional insight into the possible relationship between neural plasticity phenomena and brain rhythms
• Cortical or subcortical changes of brain oscillations observed in physiological or pathological conditions, following inducing-plasticity protocols or other experimental interventions (e.g., peripheral stimulation)
• Human or animal studies providing evidence of altered plasticity in neurological disorders as revealed by high-density EEG, TMS-EEG coregistrations, MEG, or intracranial/LFPs recordings
• tACS effects on brain oscillations and functional plasticity and tACS-related motor and nonmotor changes in neurological diseases