Brain Neurorehabil.  2017 Mar;10(1):e4. 10.12786/bn.2017.10.e4.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as an Alternative Treatment in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

• Kim YJ

• KMID: 2377840
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12786/bn.2017.10.e4

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is one of the brain stimulation techniques, which considered as an alternative treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD, cognitive, behavior, and functional deteriorations are the result of synaptic dysfunction, neural circuit destabilization, and disrupted network activity, which are mainly caused by amyloid and tau deposition. tDCS modified neuronal resting membrane potential, synaptic plasticity, cortical neurotransmitters, astrocytes, cerebral blood flow, and functional connectivity, which could restore cognitive impairment. However, several small clinical studies that have been conducted so far have produced inconsistent results in patients with AD. Therefore, more systematic clinical studies are needed in the future.

Keyword

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Alzheimer's Disease; Alternative Treatment; Synaptic Plasticity; Network Activity

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease*
Amyloid
Astrocytes
Brain
Cerebrovascular Circulation
Cognition Disorders
Humans
Membrane Potentials
Neuronal Plasticity
Neurons
Neurotransmitter Agents
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation*
Amyloid
Neurotransmitter Agents