[Transcranial direct current stimulation: new clinical roadmaps for psychiatric research].
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that has undergone intensive research over the past decade with promising results. tDCS is based on the application of weak, direct current over the scalp, leading to cortical hypo- or hyperpolarization according to the specified parameters. Recent studies have shown that tDCS is able to induce potent changes in cortical excitability as well as to elicit long-lasting modifications in brain activity. Over the last decade, tDCS physiological mechanisms of action have been intensively investigated. This research has given support for the investigation of tDCS applications in a wide range of clinical populations, including patients with post-stroke motor and language deficits, chronic pain, and tinnitus. Recently, its efficacy to treat psychiatric conditions has been explored increasingly. In this review, we will gather clinical studies involving tDCS to ameliorate psychiatric symptoms and discuss reasonable next steps in this direction.
Department of Psychology, 1232 William James Hall, Harvard university, 33 Kirkland street, Cambridge, MA 02138, États-Unis - Institut de recherche en sciences psychologiques, université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgique.
Alexandre
A
Heeren
Institut de recherche en sciences psychologiques, université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgique - Cellule de recherches et publications scientifiques (CRPS), hôpital psychiatrique du Beau Vallon, Namur, Belgique.
Charlotte
C
Coussement
Institut de neuroscience, université catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgique - Center for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, États-Unis 
Élisabeth
É
Colon
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation