title: Transcranial direct current stimulation for refractory auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.
abstract: Some patients with schizophrenia may suffer from continuous or severe auditory hallucinations that are refractory to antipsychotic drugs, including clozapine. Such patients may benefit from a short trial of once- to twice-daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the cathode placed over the left temporoparietal cortex and the anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; negative, cognitive, and other symptoms, if present, may also improve. At present, the case for tDCS treatment of refractory auditory hallucinations rests on 1 well-conducted randomized, sham tDCS-controlled trial and several carefully documented and instructive case reports. Benefits with up to 3 years of maintenance tDCS have also been described. In patients with refractory auditory hallucinations, tDCS has been delivered at 1- to 3-mA current intensity during 20-30 minutes in once- to twice-daily sessions for up to 3 years with no apparent adverse effects. Transcranial direct current stimulation therefore appears to be a promising noninvasive brain stimulation technique for patients with antipsychotic-refractory auditory hallucinations.
authors: Department of Psychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India candrade@psychiatrist.com.
authors: Chittaranjan
authors: C
authors: Andrade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome