Cited by 2,617Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurological disorders and treatments

Sustained excitability elevations induced by transcranial DC motor cortex stimulation in humans

Nitsche, Michael A., Paulus, Walter·2001·Neurology

Abstract

The authors show that in the human transcranial direct current stimulation is able to induce sustained cortical excitability elevations. As revealed by transcranial magnetic stimulation, motor cortical excitability increased approximately 150% above baseline for up to 90 minutes after the end of stimulation. The feasibility of inducing long-lasting excitability modulations in a noninvasive, painless, and reversible way makes this technique a potentially valuable tool in neuroplasticity modulation.

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Crossref · 10.1212/wnl.57.10.1899

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10 of 10 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Changes in cortical excitability and improvements in behavior induced by tDCS have been reported to persist long after the stimulation period.

    “Importantly, changes in cortical excitability and improvements in behavior induced by tDCS have been reported to persist long after the stimulation period [25–28].”
  • Since 2000, three sham-controlled trials investigating the efficacy of tDCS for treating depression have reported encouraging results.

    “Since 2000, three sham-controlled trials investigating the efficacy of tDCS for treating depression have reported encouraging results.”
  • The antidepressant effects measured in this study did not appear as robust as those previously reported in the sham-controlled trials of Fregni et al (60% improvement after 5 sessions/1.5 weeks) and Boggio et al (43% improvement after 10 sessions, 2 weeks), despite the use of tDCS at higher stimulus intensities, over a longer treatment period and with more stimulation sessions.

    “The antidepressant effects measured in this study did not appear as robust as those previously reported in the sham-controlled trials of Fregni et al 5 (60% improvement after 5 sessions/1.5 weeks) and Boggio et al 6 (43% improvement after 10 sessions, 2 weeks), despite the use of tDCS at higher stimulus intensities, over a longer treatment period and with more stimulation sessions.”
  • Boggio et al (n=40, 2 mA, 20 min, 10 sessions on consecutive weekdays) found tDCS more effective than a sham control.

    “Fregni et al 5 (n = 10, tDCS given at 1 mA, 20 min per session, 5 sessions on alternate days) and Boggio et al 6 (n = 40, 2 mA, 20 min, 10 sessions on consecutive weekdays) both found tDCS more effective than a sham control.”
  • In the two trials with greater response, participants were free of medications prior to and during the trial, whereas in other trials and in this study, participants continued on antidepressant medication.

    “In the two trials with greater response, participants were free of medications prior to and during the trial (clarified in a personal communication from F. Fregni, March 2011), 5,6 whereas in others 7,25 and in this study, participants continued on antidepressant medication.”

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Authors
Nitsche, M. A., & Paulus, W.
Affiliations
University of Göttingen (DE)
Venue
Neurology
Published
2001-11-27
Volume
57
Issue
10
Pages
1899-1901
ISSN
  • 0028-3878 (ISSN-L)
  • 1526-632X
OpenAlex
W2079890482
Cited by
2,617
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 71 · 2025: 126 · 2024: 124 · 2023: 109 · 2022: 158 · 2021: 215 · 2020: 187 · 2019: 200 · 2018: 154 · 2017: 164 · 2016: 170 · 2015: 157 · 2014: 157 · 2013: 140 · 2012: 103
FWCI
8.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Neurological disorders and treatments
Keywords
transcranial direct current stimulation, motor cortex, cortical excitability, non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation
MeSH terms
Brain Mapping, Dominance, Cerebral, Electroencephalography, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Humans, Motor Cortex, Synaptic Transmission, Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted, Muscle, Skeletal, Evoked Potentials, Motor

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