Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Psychiatry

Jun Won Kim; Jaewon Lee

doi:10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.3.158

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Kim and Lee: Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Psychiatry

Review Article

Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2016; 55(3): 158-167.

Published online: 31 August 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.3.158

Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Psychiatry

Jun Won Kim, MD, PhD¹, Jaewon Lee, MD, PhD²

¹Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

²Department of Psychiatry, Easy Brain Center, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Jaewon Lee, MD, PhD. Department of Psychiatry, Easy Brain Center, 173 Saimdang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06626, Korea. Tel +82-2-583-9080, Fax +82-2-583-9082, sonton21@gmail.com

Received 3 May 2016 Revised 1 June 2016 Accepted 3 June 2016

Abstract

Transcranial cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that consists of applying a weak current over the scalp to modulate cortical excitability by facilitating or inhibiting ongoing neuronal processes. tDCS is attracting much attention among researchers and clinicians because it has a low risk and low cost, and it is simple to operate, being portable. In this review, the authors provide a summary of developmental history, technical aspects and mechanism of action of tDCS and review the current literature regarding the use of tDCS in psychiatry. Depression was the most extensively researched condition, followed by schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Other topics explored were child and adolescent psychiatry. This review suggested that tDCS interventions comprising multiple sessions can alleviate symptoms of several major psychiatric disorders, both acutely and in the long-term and are well tolerated and safe for patients including child and adolescent. Nevertheless, the number of publications regarding tDCS is low and randomized controlled trials are very few. Evidence from large-scale, multi-center randomized controlled trials is required to transition this technique from the laboratory to the clinic. In addition, tDCS parameters such as electrode size, dosage, and location of electrode should be investigated.

Keywords: Psychiatry, Transcranial cranial direct current stimulation, Non-invasive brain stimulation

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Schematized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). A tDCS device uses an anode and cathode connected to a direct current source much like a 9 V battery (A). The direct current passes through the intervening tissue, with some shunting through the skull but much of it passes through the brain and changes resting electrical charge, particularly under the cathode (B). Adapted from George, et al. Neuropsychopharmacology 2010;35:301-316, with permission of APPI.82)

Fig. 2

NeuroConn company's DC-STIMUKATOR Plus (left) and Mind Alive company's CESta (right). Reprinted with permission from and NeuroConn and Mild Alive. All rights reserved.

Table 1

Adverse effects associated with transcranial direct current stimulation

Adapted from Tortella, et al. World J Psychiatry 2015;5:88-102, with permission of Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.83)

Notes

^{Conflicts of Interest} The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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