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Cited by 79Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesElectroconvulsive Therapy StudiesUltrasound and Hyperthermia Applications

Modeling transcranial direct-current stimulation-induced electric fields in children and adults

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Ciechanski, Patrick, Carlson, Helen L., Yu, Sabrina S., Kirton, Adam·2018·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00268PMC PMC6037769
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Abstract

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that induces electric fields in neuronal tissue, modulating cortical excitability. Therapeutic applications of tDCS are rapidly expanding, and are being investigated in pediatrics for various clinical conditions. Anatomical variations are among a host of factors that influence the effects of tDCS, and pronounced anatomical differences between children and adults suggest that induced electric fields may be substantially different across development. The aim of this study was to determine the strength and distribution of tDCS-induced electric fields across development. Typically developing children, adolescents, and adults were recruited. Individualized finite-element method modeling of primary motor cortex (M1) targeting tDCS was performed. In the largest pediatric sample to date, we found significantly higher peak and mean M1 electric field strength, and more expansive electric field spread for children compared to adults. Electric fields were often comparable between adolescents and adults. Our results suggest that these differences may be associated with age-related differences in skull and extra-axial space thickness, as well as developmental changes occurring in gray and white matter. Individualized current modeling may be a valuable tool for personalizing effective doses of tDCS in future pediatric clinical trials.

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Authors
Ciechanski, P., Carlson, H. L., Yu, S. S., & Kirton, A.
Affiliations
University of Calgary (CA)
Corresponding author
  • Ciechanski, Patrick
  • Kirton, Adam
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2018-07-03
Volume
12
Pages
268-268
ISSN
1662-5161 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnhum.2018.00268
PMC
PMC6037769
OpenAlex
W2807837533
Cited by
79
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 3 · 2012: 1
FWCI
4.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
  • Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications
Keywords
transcranial direct current stimulation, primary motor cortex, developmental differences, children, adolescents, adults, skull thickness

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