Transcranial direct-current stimulation
List of tDCS entries:
No pages meet these criteria.Transcranial direct-current stimulation, tDCS in short, is a neoromodulatory technique in which a small and constant direct current is delivered through the skull in order to inhibit or excite neurons in the brain. tDCS may help patients suffering from strong depression and it may also relieve pain, help patients with neurodegenerative diseases, or enhance human cognition.[1]
Contents
Main characteristics
The tDCS is done by putting two electrodes on the scalp and running weak direct current between them so the current passes through the brain. Different areas of the brain can be affected based on the position of the electrodes. Depending on whether the stimulation is anodal or cathodal, the neuronal resting membrane potential is either depolarized or hyperpolarized respectively. Anodal stimulation enhances excitability, while cathodal stimulation has opposite results. The efficacy of the technique closely depends on the strenght of the generated electrical field. Clinically, tDCS is usually administered via two sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution for conductibility.[2][3]
Purpose
Company & People
Important Dates
Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment
Ethical & Health Issues
http://www.nature.com/news/brain-doping-may-improve-athletes-performance-1.19534 (used as doping)
Public & Media Impact and Presentation
Public Policy
Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research
References
- ↑ BRUNONI, Andre Russowsky, et al. Clinical research with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): challenges and future directions. Brain stimulation, 2012, 5.3: 175-195.
- ↑ NITSCHE, M. A.; PAULUS, W. Excitability changes induced in the human motor cortex by weak transcranial direct current stimulation. The Journal of physiology, 2000, 527.3: 633-639.
- ↑ ANTAL, A.; PAULUS, W.; NITSCHE, M. A. Principle and mechanisms of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). J PAIN SYMPTOM MANAG, 2009, 2: 249-258.
