Using transcranial electrical stimulation to enhance cognitive functions in the typical and atypical brain

Abstract

Transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) includes methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation, and transcranial alternating current stimulation. These methods provide novel ways of enhancing human cognitive abilities for restorative purposes, or for general cognitive enhancement, by modulating neuronal activity. I discuss here the basic principles behind these methods and provide some illustrations of their efficacy in cognitive enhancement in those with typical and atypical brain function. Next, I outline some future directions for research that are have been largely neglected, such as the issue of individual differences, cognitive side effects, the efficacy of TES for use with healthy elderly populations, children with atypical development, and sports. The results observed thus far with TES as well as its future possibilities have significant implications for both basic and translational neuroscience.

A deafening flash! Visual interference of auditory signal detection

“…This debate might be informed by whether the behavioural measures have a discontinuous or continuous distribution (Cohen Kadosh, 2013;Deroy & Spence, 2015;Martino & Marks, 2001;Simner, 2012). Although we did not test participants with a history of synaesthesia, we can distinguish a subgroup that reports visually-evoked sounds; however such subjective awareness seems to be the only dichotomous variable, for even though on average 'Yes-Hear' participants were significantly better at visual discrimination, the distribution of our objective measures appears smooth rather than discontinuous.…”

The rehabilitation of face recognition impairments: a critical review and future directions

“…Notably, tDCS has also been used in stroke patients (generally those with aphasia), and, in concert with cognitive training, has been shown to improve speech and naming abilities (see Krause and Cohen Kadosh, 2013, for a review). This may occur because tDCS facilitates compensation in non-damaged regions, reduces activation in non-damaged regions that may inhibit activation in or around lesioned areas, or increases residual output of partially damaged areas (Cohen Kadosh, 2013). In other words, tDCS may be useful in conjunction with both remedial and compensatory training strategies, but choice of strategy and stimulation site (lesion area/contralateral lesion area) could vary patient-to-patient, depending on the site and extent of damage.…”

Modulating and enhancing cognition using brain stimulation: Science and fiction

“…The reverse polarity, cathodal stimulation, inhibits cell firing and decreases excitability (Bindman et al, 1964;Fritsch et al, 2010;. Most studies thus far have found that anodal stimulation improves cognitive performance, whereas cathodal stimulation impairs performance (Cohen Kadosh, 2013;Jacobson, Koslowsky, & Lavidor, 2012;Kuo & Nitsche, 2012). However, some exceptions, in which the opposite pattern was observed, have also been reported (Antal et al, 2004;Dockery, Hueckel-Weng, Birbaumer, & Plewnia, 2009;Terhune, Tai, Cowey, Popescu, & Cohen Kadosh, 2011).…”