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International randomized-controlled trial of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in depression
Colleen K Loo1, Mustafa M Husain2, William M McDonald3
1School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Black Dog Institute, Hospital Road, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
Brain Stimulation
|November 8, 2017
Summary
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) did not show antidepressant effects compared to sham treatment in unipolar or bipolar depression. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotype did not influence treatment outcomes in this study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) shows promise for unipolar depression.
- Limited data exists on tDCS efficacy for bipolar depression.
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met genotype may influence tDCS response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate tDCS effectiveness in unipolar and bipolar depression.
- To determine if BDNF genotype moderates antidepressant response to tDCS.
Main Methods:
- 130 participants with major depressive episodes were randomized to active or sham tDCS.
- Treatment involved 20 sessions over 4 weeks targeting the left prefrontal cortex.
- Mixed-effects models analyzed mood and neuropsychological changes.
Main Results:
- Significant mood improvement was observed in both unipolar and bipolar groups over 4 weeks.
- More participants with unipolar depression achieved remission with sham treatment (p=0.03).
- No significant difference in outcomes between active and sham tDCS was found in the bipolar group; BDNF genotype was not associated with response.
Conclusions:
- Active tDCS did not demonstrate a significant antidepressant difference compared to sham stimulation for unipolar or bipolar depression.
- The potential biological activity of the sham tDCS current cannot be ruled out.
- BDNF genotype did not moderate the antidepressant outcomes in this study.
