The Tdcs Brain Stimulation Therapy

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.

The therapy can be used to target different areas of the brain and the result is the excitement which stimulates different activities. These include enhancing a patient problem solving techniques, attention span, mathematical abilities, language and even coordination. Over the years, the studies carried out have sought to identify the benefits and demerits that identify with the process. The practice is now commonly utilized considering that with the observation of right safety protocols; it is safe for human use.

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.

The process by which to successfully undertake this is relatively simple provided you have the right equipment and knowledge on how to carry it out. It needs only two electrodes which are the positively charged anode and the negatively charged cathode. Current is known to flow from the positive anode and then end up at the negatively charged cathode for a circuit to be complete. The current therefore flows through the conducting tissues which in this case are the brain neurons and creates an excitement in them as it passes.

The skin where the electrodes will be placed is then prepared well to create a strong connection between the electrodes and the scalp when they will be placed on it. The electrodes should be well fixated to the point of interest for effective results. The smaller the size of the sponge electrode, the more focused it will be to effectively deliver the current on the desired point.

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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