Electricity, Neurology, and Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

The Past ◽

Neuroscience Research ◽

Stimulation Technique ◽

Looking Back

Electricity and neurology evolved synchronously over the past few centuries. This article looks at their origins and their journey into noninvasive brain stimulation technique of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which is now popular in neuroscience research.

Combining transcranial direct current stimulation and neuroimaging: novel insights in understanding neuroplasticity

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00557.2011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 107 (1) ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Anusha Venkatakrishnan ◽

Marco Sandrini

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Performance ◽

Direct Current ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Cortical Activity ◽

Stimulation Technique ◽

Contemporary Approach

In recent years, noninvasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have gained immense popularity owing to their effects on modulating cortical activity and consequently motor and cognitive performance. However, the neurophysiology underlying such neuroplastic changes is less understood. This article critically evaluates the contemporary approach of combined tDCS and neuroimaging as a means to provide novel insights in understanding the neurophysiological and neuroplastic processes modulated by this brain stimulation technique. We end by briefly suggesting further lines of inquiry.

The Use of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Specifically Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation After Stroke

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation ◽

10.1097/phm.0000000000001209 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 98 (8) ◽

pp. 735-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

April Pruski ◽

Pablo Celnik

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Direct Current Stimulation

Noninvasive brain stimulation: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation

Journal of Korean Medical Association ◽

10.5124/jkma.2013.56.1.30 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 30 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yun-Hee Kim

Keyword(s):

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Direct Current ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽

Direct Current Stimulation

Severe Chronic Heel Pain in a Diabetic Patient with Plantar Fasciitis Successfully Treated Through Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/0003-0538-105.2.173 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 105 (2) ◽

pp. 173-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Al Sawah Mohomad ◽

Rimawi Mohammad ◽

Eileen Chusid ◽

Michael Trepal ◽

Fortunato Battaglia

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Patient ◽

Direct Current ◽

Plantar Fasciitis ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Heel Pain ◽

Pain Syndromes ◽

Stimulation Technique

Background Recently, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, was proposed as a suitable method for the treatment of several chronic pain syndromes. We describe a case of severe heel pain in a diabetic patient with plantar fasciitis successfully treated with tDCS. Methods The present study investigated whether tDCS treatment could reduce pain and pain-related anxiety in a 65-year-old diabetic man affected by treatment-resistant right heel pain due to plantar fasciitis. The patient underwent five tDCS treatment sessions on 5 consecutive days. Each session consisted of 20-min anodal tDCS over the left primary motor cortex leg area. Results The neurostimulation protocol induced a decrease in pain intensity and pain-related anxiety that outlasted the stimulation (1 week). Furthermore, the patient stopped the intake of opioid medication. Conclusions Therapeutic neuromodulation with tDCS may represent an alternative option for treating severe lower-extremity pain.

Exploratory study of once-daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.11.005 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 54-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

F. Fröhlich ◽

T.N. Burrello ◽

J.M. Mellin ◽

A.L. Cordle ◽

C.M. Lustenberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Temporal Organization ◽

Auditory Hallucinations ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Once Daily ◽

Additional Tool ◽

Direct Current Stimulation

AbstractBackgroundAuditory hallucinations are resistant to pharmacotherapy in about 25% of adults with schizophrenia. Treatment with noninvasive brain stimulation would provide a welcomed additional tool for the clinical management of auditory hallucinations. A recent study found a significant reduction in auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia after five days of twice-daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) that simultaneously targeted left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left temporo-parietal cortex.HypothesisWe hypothesized that once-daily tDCS with stimulation electrodes over left frontal and temporo-parietal areas reduces auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.MethodsWe performed a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study that evaluated five days of daily tDCS of the same cortical targets in 26 outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder with auditory hallucinations.ResultsWe found a significant reduction in auditory hallucinations measured by the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (F2,50 = 12.22, P < 0.0001) that was not specific to the treatment group (F2,48 = 0.43, P = 0.65). No significant change of overall schizophrenia symptom severity measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was observed.ConclusionsThe lack of efficacy of tDCS for treatment of auditory hallucinations and the pronounced response in the sham-treated group in this study contrasts with the previous finding and demonstrates the need for further optimization and evaluation of noninvasive brain stimulation strategies. In particular, higher cumulative doses and higher treatment frequencies of tDCS together with strategies to reduce placebo responses should be investigated. Additionally, consideration of more targeted stimulation to engage specific deficits in temporal organization of brain activity in patients with auditory hallucinations may be warranted.

Prefrontal Cortex Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (PreCoTTA): Study Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials ◽

10.2174/1574887116666210806091448 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Author(s):

Anagha S. Deshmukh ◽

Samir Kumar Praharaj ◽

Shweta Rai ◽

Asha Kamath ◽

Dinesh Upadhya

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Alcohol Dependence ◽

Direct Current ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Comprehensive Treatment ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Background: Alcohol dependence is a significant public health problem, contributing to the global health burden. Due to its immense socio-economic burden, various psychosocial, psychological, and pharmacological approaches have attempted to alter the behaviour of the patient misusing or abusing alcohol, but their efficacy is modest at best. Therefore, there is a search for newer treatment approaches, including noninvasive brain stimulation in the management of alcohol dependence. We plan to study the efficacy of Prefrontal Cortex Transcranial direct current stimulation Treatment in Alcohol dependence syndrome (PreCoTTA). Methods: Two hundred twenty-five male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome will be randomized into the three study arms (2 active, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left orbitofrontal cortex, and 1 sham) to receive a total of 14 tDCS sessions (10 continuous and 4 booster sessions). Data will be collected from them at five different time points on clinical, neuropsychological and biochemical parameters. In addition, 225 healthy age and education matched controls will be administered the neuropsychological test battery at baseline for comparison with the patient group. Discussion: The proposed study aims to explore the use of non-invasive brain stimulation; tDCS as a treatment alternative. We also aim to overcome the methodological gaps of limited sample sizes, fewer tDCS intervention sessions, lack of long term follow ups to measure the sustainability of gains and lack comprehensive measures to track changes in functioning and abstinence after tDCS intervention. The main outcomes include clinical (reduction in cue-induced craving, time to first drink and QFI); neuropsychological (risk-taking, impulsivity, and other neuropsychological domains) and biochemical markers (BDNF, leptin and adiponectin). The findings of the study will have translational value as it may help to improve the clinician’s ability to effectively manage craving in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome. Furthermore, we will have a better understanding of the neuropsychological and biochemical effects of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques which are of interest in the comprehensive treatment of addiction disorders. Trial registration: The study has been registered with the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2020/09/027582) on September 03rd 2020.

Quantifying and visualizing the transcranial direct current stimulation research indicators

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20184921 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (12) ◽

pp. 4136

Author(s):

Shahid Bashir ◽

Shafiq Ahmad ◽

Moath Alatefi ◽

Ali Hamza ◽

Mohammad Sahreef

Keyword(s):

Direct Current ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Research Progress ◽

Research Production ◽

The Past ◽

European Institutions ◽

Reasonable Proportion ◽

Clinical Potential

The field of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has experienced significant growth in the past 15 years which is mainly devoted to determining the basic and clinical potential of tDCS in humans. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the current worldwide progress on tDCS research as well as to highlight researchers, journals, institutions and countries which are contributing significantly in the past 18 years. We conducted a quantitative analysis of research articles regarding tDCS published from 1998 to 2016 and indexed in the web of science core collection database. Data was downloaded in October, 2016. In the past 18 years, there were 2457 studies on tDCS indexed by web of science database, including all documents type such as article, review, meeting abstract, proceedings paper, letters, and etc. This study is focusing on the main articles and reviews; therefore, the research production was reduced to 2000 publications. The analysis showed that most of the studies in the field were published by North American and European institutions with a reasonable proportion of the publications were also by Japanese institutions from Asia. From the perspective of research progress, we found that the number of published papers on tDCS has increased significantly in the past 10 years, between them a remarkable positive correlation exists.