Hordacre, B., Moezzi, B., & Ridding, M. C. (2018). Neuroplasticity and network connectivity of the motor cortex following stroke: A transcranial direct current stimulation study. Human brain mapping, 39(8), 3326–3339. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.24079


A Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Study 


Saint Olaf College

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive electrical neuromodulation technique that is used as potential treatment for neurological disorders. These disorders include depression, strokes, epilepsy, and Parkinson's. 

Two electrodes (anodes and cathodes) are placed on the scalp to produce an electric current. Anodal tDCS excites the target region, whereas cathodal tDCS decreases excitability which produces a type of polarity. 

Although some research shows that tDCS is effective in certain treatments, other research also indicates wide variability. 

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

- The goal of this study was to examine whether functional connectivity in the target region was associated with tDCS in stroke patients. - 
- Considering the previous findings in the field, they acknowledged that there is high individual variability in the results of tDCS treatments and they wanted to create a model to explain the variance in tDCS treatments. 
- Their hypothesis was that "stroke survivors with greater network connectivity would have a greater excitability following the tDCS"
- Their findings showed that tDCS did not increase "corticospinal excitability." They also found that  "clinical characteristics and demographics are not associated with tDCS response" 

Moreover, this study exemplifies the high individual variability in tDCS treatments and how the outcomes of studies involving tDCS should be examined carefully. 

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