Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

tDCS appears to be a promising tool in neuroplasticity research with some tentative perspectives in clinical neurophysiology. The next steps to be carried out encompass better histological safety data. In order to preclude the possibility of neuronal damage, extending tDCS duration should be limited until more direct safety criteria are available than those derived from Agnew and McCreery (1987) (cf. Nitsche et al, this volume). Safe stimulation protocols have to be developed which allow an extension of the duration of after-effects towards a somewhat permanent state, supposing a beneficial effect can be found in neurological diseases or in neurorehabilitation.