title: Novel methods to optimize the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation: a systematic review of transcranial direct current stimulation patents.
abstract: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that has been extensively studied. While there have been initial positive results in some clinical trials, there is still variability in tDCS results. The aim of this article is to review and discuss patents assessing novel methods to optimize the use of tDCS. A systematic review was performed using Google patents database with tDCS as the main technique, with patents filling date between 2010 and 2015. Twenty-two patents met our inclusion criteria. These patents attempt to address current tDCS limitations. Only a few of them have been investigated in clinical trials (i.e., high-definition tDCS), and indeed most of them have not been tested before in human trials. Further clinical testing is required to assess which patents are more likely to optimize the effects of tDCS. We discuss the potential optimization of tDCS based on these patents and the current experience with standard tDCS.
authors.affiliation: a Spaulding Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malavera
authors.affiliation: a Spaulding Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasquez
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fregni
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation; optimization; patent; safety; systematic review; transcranial direct current stimulation