Direct Current Brain Polarization: A Simple, Noninvasive Technique for Human Neuromodulation

Abstract

The field is very young and many findings will require replication. Nevertheless, TDCS appears to have the potential to be a simple and safe means of neuromodulation.

The Role of the Parietal Cortex in Multisensory and Response Integration: Evidence from Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

“…Recently, it has been exhibited that non-invasive brain stimulation tech niques can be used for cognitive neuroscience research with patients and healthy participants to uncover brain regions that are associated with specific cognitive functions (Ukueberuwa and Wassermann, 2010). Transcranial di rect current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, which uses low-amplitude direct currents on a specific region on the skull.…”

The Perils of Using Electrical Stimulation to Change Human Brains

“…Moreover, and contrary to popular thought, existing PCEs are only modestly successful at enhancing cognitive skills (Greely, 2010;Ilieva, Boland, & Farah, 2012;Smith & Farah, 2011). Already, brain stimulation technologies might be more effective (Cohen Kadosh et al, 2010;Floel et al, 2008;Marshall, 2004;Ukueberuwa & Wassermann, 2010) -and less valueladen or stigmatized (Forlini & Racine, 2011;Franke, Lieb, & Hildt, 2012;Heinrichs, 2012;Outram, 2012;Pillow, Naylor, & Malone, 2012) -than PCEs we might develop in the near future. To be sure, selfmedication of individuals using drugs such as methylphenidate intended for the treatment of ADHD without the requisite prescription is, in some ways, akin to DIY tDCS: both scenarios feature an untutored individual making a decision about changing his or her brain using technology without the supervision of a medical professional.…”

Zapping the gap: Reducing the multisensory temporal binding window by means of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

“…Yet on the other hand, many have emphasized the contribution of electrical stimulation to the aim of uncovering links between specific brain regions and cognitive functions, as well as to the possibility of finding useful interventions for patients (for review see Nitsche & Paulus, 2000;Tehovnik, 1996;Tehovnik, Tolias, Sultan, Slocum, & Logothetis, 2006). While findings must be cautiously interpreted and different montages should be applied in a replicable fashion, neurostimulation techniques have had significant success in clinical applications (Demirtas-Tatlidede et al, 2013;Nitsche & Paulus, 2000) and in generating insight into how the brain works (Ukueberuwa & Wassermann, 2010).…”