Evans, C;
Bachmann, C;
Lee, J;
Gregoriou, E;
Ward, N;
Bestmann, S;
(2020)
Dose-controlled tDCS reduces electric field intensity variability at a cortical target site.
Brain Stimulation
, 13
(1)
pp. 125-136.
10.1016/j.brs.2019.10.004.
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Abstract
Background: Variable effects limit the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a research and therapeutic tool. Conventional application of a fixed-dose of tDCS does not account for inter-individual differences in anatomy (e.g. skull thickness), which varies the amount of current reaching the brain. Individualised dose-control may reduce the variable effects of tDCS by reducing variability in electric field (E-field) intensities at a cortical target site. / Objective: To characterise the variability in E-field intensity at a cortical site (left primary motor cortex; M1) and throughout the brain for conventional fixed-dose tDCS, and individualised dose-controlled tDCS. / Methods: The intensity and distribution of the E-field during tDCS was estimated using Realistic Volumetric Approach to Simulate Transcranial Electric Stimulation (ROAST) in 50 individual brain scans taken from the Human Connectome Project, for fixed-dose tDCS (1 mA & 2 mA) and individualised dose-controlled tDCS targeting left M1. / Results: With a fixed-dose (1 mA & 2 mA), E-field intensity in left M1 varied by more than 100% across individuals, with substantial variation observed throughout the brain as well. Individualised dose-control ensured the same E-field intensity was delivered to left M1 in all individuals. Its variance in other regions of interest (right M1 and area underneath the electrodes) was comparable with fixed- and individualised-dose. / Conclusions: Individualised dose-control can eliminate the variance in E-field intensities at a cortical target site. Assuming that the current delivered to the brain directly determines its physiological and behavioural consequences, this approach may allow for reducing the known variability of tDCS effects
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Dose-controlled tDCS reduces electric field intensity variability at a cortical target site |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.brs.2019.10.004 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2019.10.004 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Transcranial electrical stimulation, Individualization, Current flow model, Inter-individual variability, Brain stimulation |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Clinical and Movement Neurosciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10084693 |
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