A Look Into The TDCS Process

By Tammie Caldwell


The transcranial direct current stimulation refers to a process that involves the simulation of a brain area using some constant but low current. This form of neuron-stimulation involves the delivery of this current to the brain area using some electrodes that are carefully placed on a scalp. The procedure was initially developed to help treat patients diagnosed with brain injuries like strokes. As studies and research about the same have advanced, tDCS has been known to help increase cognitive person with relation to a variety of tasks.

Depending on the part or area of the brain being stimulated, this practice has helped in activities such as the enhancing of language, attention span, problem solving, memory loss, mathematical abilities and some coordination activities. Its use has been developing over the years and more research studies have been conducted to check its positive and negative effects. The stimulation is now frequently used because it is safe for human use as along some safety protocols are maintained.

The stimulation is done by passing some constant and direct current flow to the region of interest on the head using some electrodes. These electrodes are placed carefully on the scalp. They must be carefully placed at the designated areas to induce intracerebral current flow. If placed at the wrong areas, the process could result into some faults.

This current is then intended to raise or reduce the level of excitement by the neurons in the brain point of interest. The change effected causes the brain to react differently and thus induce some activities. This is what helps in enhancing some functions like attention span.

You require some very few equipment to set up the procedure. You need two electrodes and a battery powered device that will be able to deliver a constant and direct current flow. This device will provide you a positively charged electrode which is known as the anode and a negatively charged electrode which is called the cathode. The anode dissipates the current and its ions flow from it, though the conducting body and towards the cathode.

The setting up involves properly preparing the skin where the electrodes will be placed. There need to be a strong connection between them and the skin for a successful procedure. The electrode pads are of different sizes and the smaller their size is, the more focused the stimulation they will deliver to the required point. One of the electrodes is placed at the point of interest while the other is placed in another point to ensure the circuit is complete.

The anode or cathode is placed on the place of interest and then the other is placed at the neck or shoulder. This is known as the reference electrode. The current is then allowed too flow freely from one end to another until the time set lapses. The flow can be gradually increased or decreased.

The recent studies have shown ways on how to greatly make this process more effective. This is by the use of multiple electrodes instead of two. Some multiple gel electrodes are placed at several points on the scalp to effectively deliver more current to multiple areas. The effects are therefore higher and more long lasting in this case.




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