What is tDCS?
tDCS is a safe, new, non-invasive treatment that provides relief for various neurological, psychiatric and chronic pain conditions.
It also improves memory, attention and learning in children and adults.
Which patients will benefit from tDCS?
Neurological disorders: Stroke, tinnitus, age related memory decline, Alzheimer’s disease, Dementias.
Chronic pain: Migraine, fibromyalgia, painful neuropathies and complex regional pain syndrome, chronic headache.
Psychiatric conditions: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, and hallucinations.
How is the treatment done?
Patient sits in a chair or lies on a bed. Saline-soaked sponge squares are placed on the scalp. Location of the electrodes depends on the type of condition the patient has. Imperceptible tiny amounts (2 mA) of stimulus is applied for 20 min. Most patients feel either nothing or a slight tingling sensation.
How long does it take?
20 minutes per day. The duration of treatment depends on the patient’s condition.
How does it work?
Our brain cells work by naturally generating small amounts of electric current. There are ~100 billion cells in human brain (same as the stars in the universe, as the saying goes). It is estimated that human brain generates enough electricity to light a 20 w bulb!!
tDCS works by inducing NEUROPLASTICIY which is reorganizing and rewiring brain cells and their connections to provide improvement in the patient’s condition. tDCS does so by modulating (exciting or inhibiting) neuronal excitability.
Is it safe?
tDCS has been demonstrated to be safe in multiple research studies.
More information at http://a4clinics.com/brainstimulation.
An excellent source of serious scientific information is available from the University of California tDCS Summit available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/3c2MJ71DEWg