title: Pilot study of feasibility of the effect of treatment with tDCS in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression treated with escitalopram.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This double-blind, sham-controlled trial investigated the effects of two daily tDCS sessions over a 5-day period in treatment-resistant depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four treatment-resistant depressed patients received two daily sessions of active or sham anodal tDCS to the left prefrontal cortex (2 mA, 10 sessions over 1 week). Depression severity, psychomotor retardation and cognitive function were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active tDCS was not significantly superior to sham tDCS on the HDRS at week 4, as well as on the MADRS and SRRS scales, and on neuropsychological tests. Response rates were not significantly higher with active tDCS. tDCS was well tolerated, with mild adverse events limited to transient scalp discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  tDCS did not induce clinically relevant antidepressant effect in active and sham stimulation groups. There was no impact on psychomotor and neuropsychological functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  tDCS efficacy on specific symptom profiles in pharmacotherapy-resistant depression is limited. The use of optimized stimulation protocol and longer period of follow up may valuably contribute to specify the place of tDCS in treatment-resistant depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital of Besançon, France; EA 481 Neurosciences, University of Franche-Comté, France. Electronic address: dbennabi@chu-besancon.fr.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bennabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital of Besançon, France; CIC-IT 1431, INSERM, University Hospital of Besançon, France; EA 481 Neurosciences, University of Franche-Comté, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicolier
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital of Besançon, France; CIC-IT 1431, INSERM, University Hospital of Besançon, France; EA 481 Neurosciences, University of Franche-Comté, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Monnin
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital of Besançon, France; CIC-IT 1431, INSERM, University Hospital of Besançon, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tio
authors.affiliation: CIC-IT 1431, INSERM, University Hospital of Besançon, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pazart
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital of Besançon, France; CIC-IT 1431, INSERM, University Hospital of Besançon, France; EA 481 Neurosciences, University of Franche-Comté, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandel
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University Hospital of Besançon, France; CIC-IT 1431, INSERM, University Hospital of Besançon, France; EA 481 Neurosciences, University of Franche-Comté, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haffen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015283:Citalopram
keywords: Depression; Transcranial direct current stimulation; Treatment resistance