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Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological...
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Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2024) | Viewed by 7487

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Maryam Zoghi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Discipline of Physiotherapy, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
Interests: transcranial magnetic stimulation; brain excitability; neuroplasticity; transcranial direct-current stimulation; motor control; stroke; multiple sclerosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Over the past several decades, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) gained a renewed interest as a non-invasive brain stimulation method in health and disease. The therapeutic potential of tDCS is appealing to a wide range of patient populations as it provides a non-pharmacological approach with slight to no side effects, is inexpensive, and is easy to use even at home by patients—under supervision—with the potential of producing long after-effects when a suitable protocol is used.   

This Special Issue of Brain Sciences aims to present a collection of studies detailing the most recent advancements in the application of tDCS in neurological diseases. Authors are invited to submit cutting-edge research and reviews that address a broad range of topics related to the application of tDCS in patients with neurological diseases, including the following: the mechanism of action, how to choose the best tDCS parameters for different patient populations, the recommended dosage, new advances in targeting different areas in the brain, including deep areas in the brain, safety, using an augmentative treatment technique, targeting one area in the brain vs. several areas at the same time, and future perspectives in this field. 

Dr. Maryam Zoghi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • transcranial direct current stimulation
  • cortical excitability
  • brain stimulation
  • neurological diseases

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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36 pages, 8325 KiB  
Article
Early Boost of Linguistic Skills? Individualized Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation in Early Postacute Aphasia
by Ilona Rubi-Fessen, Kathrin Gerbershagen, Prisca Stenneken and Klaus Willmes
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(8), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080789 - 3 Aug 2024
Viewed by 770
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), has been shown to increase the outcome of speech and language therapy (SLT) in chronic aphasia. Only a few studies have investigated the effect of add-on tDCS on SLT in the early stage [...] Read more.
Non-invasive brain stimulation, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), has been shown to increase the outcome of speech and language therapy (SLT) in chronic aphasia. Only a few studies have investigated the effect of add-on tDCS on SLT in the early stage of aphasia; this may be due to methodological reasons, in particular the influence of spontaneous remission and the difficulty of establishing stimulation protocols in clinical routines. Thirty-seven participants with subacute aphasia (PwA) after stroke (23 men, 14 women; mean age 62 ± 12 years; mean duration 49 ± 28 days) were included in two consecutive periods of treatment lasting two weeks each. During the first period (P1) the participants received 10 sessions of SLT, during the second period (P2) the aphasia therapy was supplemented by anodal left hemispheric 2 mA tDCS over the left hemisphere. Severity-specific language tests (Aachen Aphasia Test (AAT), n = 27 and Bielefeld Aphasia Screening-Reha (BIAS-R), n = 10) were administered before P1, between P1 and P2, and after P2. Where information was available, the results were corrected for spontaneous remission (AAT sample), and the therapy outcomes of P1 and P2 were compared. Participants’ overall language abilities improved significantly during P1 and P2. However, improvement—as measured by the AAT profile level or the BIAS-R mean percentage value—during P2 (with tDCS) was significantly higher than during P1 (p < 0.001; AAT sample and p = 0.005; BIAS-R sample). Thus, tDCS protocols can be implemented in early aphasia rehabilitation. Despite the limitations of the research design, which are also discussed from an implementation science perspective, this is preliminary evidence that an individually tailored anodal tDCS can have a significant add-on effect on the outcome of behavioral aphasia therapy in subacute aphasia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives)
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17 pages, 830 KiB  
Article
Non-Dominant Hemisphere Excitability Is Unaffected during and after Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Dominant Hemisphere
by Erik W. Wilkins, Richard J. Young, Daniel Houston, Eric Kawana, Edgar Lopez Mora, Meghana S. Sunkara, Zachary A. Riley and Brach Poston
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(7), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14070694 - 12 Jul 2024
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) increases primary motor cortex (M1) excitability and improves motor performance when applied unilaterally to the dominant hemisphere. However, the influence of tDCS on contralateral M1 excitability both during and after application has not been quantified. The purpose was [...] Read more.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) increases primary motor cortex (M1) excitability and improves motor performance when applied unilaterally to the dominant hemisphere. However, the influence of tDCS on contralateral M1 excitability both during and after application has not been quantified. The purpose was to determine the influence of tDCS applied to the dominant M1 on the excitability of the contralateral non-dominant M1. This study employed a double-blind, randomized, SHAM-controlled, within-subject crossover experimental design. Eighteen young adults performed two experimental sessions (tDCS, SHAM) in counterbalanced order separated by a one-week washout. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to quantify the excitability of the contralateral M1 to which anodal tDCS was applied for 20 min with a current strength of 1 mA. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes were assessed in 5 TMS test blocks (Pre, D5, D10, D15, and Post). The Pre and Post TMS test blocks were performed immediately before and after tDCS application, whereas the TMS test blocks performed during tDCS were completed at the 5, 10, and 15 min stimulation timepoints. MEPs were analyzed with a 2 condition (tDCS, SHAM) × 5 test (Pre, D5, D10, D15, Post) within-subject ANOVA. The main effect for condition (p = 0.213), the main effect for test (p = 0.502), and the condition × test interaction (p = 0.860) were all not statistically significant. These results indicate that tDCS does not modulate contralateral M1 excitability during or immediately after application, at least under the current set of common tDCS parameters of stimulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives)
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13 pages, 2073 KiB  
Article
Does Multisession Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Prime the Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Fear of Pain, Fear of Movement, and Disability in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain? A Randomized Clinical Trial Study
by Fatemeh Ehsani, Mohaddeseh Sadat Hafez Yousefi, Abbas Jafarzadeh, Maryam Zoghi and Shapour Jaberzadeh
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(10), 1381; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13101381 - 28 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1383
Abstract
Many studies have shown that low back pain (LBP) is associated with psychosomatic symptoms which may lead to brain changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the concurrent application of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and transcranial direct electrical stimulation (tDCS) over [...] Read more.
Many studies have shown that low back pain (LBP) is associated with psychosomatic symptoms which may lead to brain changes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the concurrent application of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and transcranial direct electrical stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability in patients with nonspecific LBP. This study was performed on 45 LBP patients (23 women, 22 men; mean age 33.00 ± 1.77 years) in three groups: experimental (2 mA cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS)), sham (c-tDCS turned off after 30 s), and control (only received CBT). In all groups, CBT was conducted for 20 min per session, with two sessions per week for four weeks. Fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability were evaluated using questionnaires at baseline, immediately after, and one month after completion of interventions. Results indicated that all three different types of intervention could significantly reduce fear and disability immediately after intervention (p > 0.05). However, improvement in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the other groups immediately after and at the one-month follow-up after interventions (p < 0.05). DLPFC c-tDCS can prime the immediate effects of CBT and also the lasting effects on the reduction in the fear of pain, fear of movement, and disability in LBP patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives)
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12 pages, 1036 KiB  
Article
Modulation Effects of Repeated Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation at the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: A Pulsed Continuous Arterial Spin Labeling Study
by Valeria Sacca, Nasim Maleki, Ya Wen, Sierra Hodges and Jian Kong
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(3), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13030395 - 25 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1821
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising non-invasive method to modulate brain excitability. The aim of this study was to better understand the cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes during and after repeated tDCS at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in healthy [...] Read more.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising non-invasive method to modulate brain excitability. The aim of this study was to better understand the cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes during and after repeated tDCS at the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in healthy participants using pulsed continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL). Elucidating CBF changes associated with repeated tDCS may shed light on the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of tDCS. tDCS was applied for three consecutive days for 20 min at 2 mA, and MRI scans were performed on day 1 and 3. During anodal tDCS, increased CBF was detected in the bilateral thalamus on day 1 and 3 (12% on day 1 and of 14% on day 3) and in the insula on day 1 (12%). After anodal tDCS on day 1, increased CBF was detected in the cerebellum and occipital lobe (11.8%), while both cathodal and sham tDCS were associated with increased CBF in the insula (11% and 10%, respectively). Moreover, anodal tDCS led to increased CBF in the lateral prefrontal cortex and midcingulate cortex in comparison to the sham. These findings suggest that tDCS can modulate the CBF and different tDCS modes may lead to different effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives)
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Review

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23 pages, 882 KiB  
Review
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Ameliorate Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment
by Kelly L. Sloane and Roy H. Hamilton
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(6), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14060614 - 19 Jun 2024
Viewed by 912
Abstract
Post-stroke cognitive impairment is a common and disabling condition with few effective therapeutic options. After stroke, neural reorganization and other neuroplastic processes occur in response to ischemic injury, which can result in clinical improvement through spontaneous recovery. Neuromodulation through transcranial direct current stimulation [...] Read more.
Post-stroke cognitive impairment is a common and disabling condition with few effective therapeutic options. After stroke, neural reorganization and other neuroplastic processes occur in response to ischemic injury, which can result in clinical improvement through spontaneous recovery. Neuromodulation through transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising intervention to augment underlying neuroplasticity in order to improve cognitive function. This form of neuromodulation leverages mechanisms of neuroplasticity post-stroke to optimize neural reorganization and improve function. In this review, we summarize the current state of cognitive neurorehabilitation post-stroke, the practical features of tDCS, its uses in stroke-related cognitive impairment across cognitive domains, and special considerations for the use of tDCS in the post-stroke patient population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives)
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Other

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22 pages, 1685 KiB  
Systematic Review
Is Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Effective for Cognitive Dysfunction in Substance Use Disorders? A Systematic Review
by Xinbi Zhang, Mingming Huang, Ying Yu, Xiaoke Zhong, Shengyu Dai, Yuanfu Dai and Changhao Jiang
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(8), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080754 - 27 Jul 2024
Viewed by 683
Abstract
Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) often suffer from cognitive dysfunction (CD), affecting their quality of life and daily functioning. Current treatments, including pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, have limited efficacy and notable side effects. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive technique that modulates [...] Read more.
Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) often suffer from cognitive dysfunction (CD), affecting their quality of life and daily functioning. Current treatments, including pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, have limited efficacy and notable side effects. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive technique that modulates cortical activity, shows promise in improving cognitive function with minimal side effects and low cost, and could potentially serve as a valuable adjunct to existing therapies. This systematic review aims to evaluate the literature on the effectiveness of tDCS for CD in SUD patients to inform clinical practice and future research. Following PRISMA guidelines, the review includes studies that used tDCS for SUD-related CD. The criteria for inclusion encompassed participants aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of SUD, the use of tDCS (either conventional or high-definition), control groups receiving sham stimulation or no intervention, and cognitive outcome measures for substance-related cognitive function using validated tools. Databases searched were Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and PsycINFO, with specific keywords. Twenty-two studies met the criteria, suggesting tDCS can improve cognitive functions in SUD patients, though results varied. Effectiveness may depend on the brain area targeted, stimulation parameters, task requirements, and individual differences. tDCS shows potential in treating SUD-related CD, but further research is needed to optimize stimulation protocols and address study variability. Future studies should use functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the brain mechanisms by which tDCS improves cognitive function in SUDs and focus on larger, long-term trials to confirm efficacy and refine tDCS treatment parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Based Methods in Neurological Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives)
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