Cognitive control therapy and transcranial direct current stimulation for depression: a randomized, double-blinded,...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to reduced dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity.
• Interventions targeting DLPFC activity may offer antidepressant effects.
• Cognitive control therapy (CCT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are two such interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if tDCS enhances the therapeutic effects of CCT for depression.
• To evaluate the combined efficacy of CCT and tDCS in a double-blind trial.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind study randomized participants to either sham tDCS with CCT or active tDCS with CCT.
• Interventions were administered over 10 consecutive workdays.
• ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01434836.

Main Results:

• Both CCT alone and CCT combined with tDCS reduced depressive symptoms post-treatment and at follow-up, with a ~25% response rate.
• Older patients and those with better task performance showed greater improvement with combined therapy.
• Improved task performance may indicate greater DLPFC engagement.

Conclusions:

• Combined CCT and tDCS may benefit older adults with depression, especially those with cognitive resources for task improvement.
• This combined approach is potentially relevant for older individuals prone to cognitive decline and prefrontal atrophy.
• Further confirmation in prospective controlled trials is warranted.