Transcranial direct current stimulation: State of the art 2008.
Effects of weak electrical currents on brain and neuronal function were first described decades ago. Recently, DC polarization of the brain was reintroduced as a noninvasive technique to alter cortical activity in humans. Beyond this, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of different cortical areas has been shown, in various studies, to result in modifications of perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral functions. Moreover, preliminary data suggest that it can induce beneficial effects in brain disorders. Brain stimulation with weak direct currents is a promising tool in human neuroscience and neurobehavioral research. To facilitate and standardize future tDCS studies, we offer this overview of the state of the art for tDCS.
Nitsche
Michael A
MA
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Göttingen, Germany. mnitsch1@gwdg.de
Cohen
Leonardo G
LG
Wassermann
Eric M
EM
Priori
Alberto
A
Lang
Nicolas
N
Antal
Andrea
A
Paulus
Walter
W
Hummel
Friedhelm
F
Boggio
Paulo S
PS
Fregni
Felipe
F
Pascual-Leone
Alvaro
A
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*