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Friday, 15 May 2015

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.

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 practice works by the sending of constant low and direct current through some electrodes to the regions of interest. The electrodes are placed on the scalp of the brain at the designated areas where the current is used to induce some intracerebral current flow. The wrong placement could lead to faults.

The flow of a current used is manipulated to either increase or reduce the excitability of neurons at the specific area being targeted. This change in the excitability then alters brain function and thus becomes relevant for various therapies.

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 electrode to complete a circuit can be placed on the neck, shoulder or opposite side of the first electrode. Current is then let to flow through and can be increased gradually. After the process is started, current will flow for the set time and then turn off automatically.

Recent studies have shown that the effectiveness of this stimulation can be improved by the use of multiple electrodes. These gel electrodes are placed at more specific points unlike for the sponge ones. They in turn help to achieve better results.




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