Transcranial direct current stimulation: State of the art 2008

Effects of weak electrical currents oil brain and neuronal function were first described decades ago. Recently. DC polarization of the brain was reintroduced as a noninvasive technique to alter cortical activity in humans. Beyond this, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of different cortical areas has been shown, ill various Studies. to result in modifications of perceptual. cognitive, and behavioral functions. Moreover, preliminary data suggest that it can induce beneficial effects in brain disorders. Brain stimulation with weak direct Currents is a promising tool in human neuroscience and neurobehavioral research. To facilitate and standardize future tDCS Studies, we offer this overview of the state of the art for tDCS. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.