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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Follow-Up
Juan C Meléndez1, Encarnación Satorres1, Alfonso Pitarque2
1Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|November 26, 2023
Summary
Daily home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved cognitive function in early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Improvements in memory were sustained one month after treatment, suggesting long-term neuroplastic effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia, characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique explored for cognitive impairment treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of daily home-based active or sham tDCS on cognitive function in early-stage AD patients.
- To assess cognitive function and its one-month follow-up after the intervention.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study with 18 participants.
- Participants received daily home-based active or sham tDCS for 5 consecutive days.
- Cognitive function, immediate and delayed recall, and executive function were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction was observed between the active and sham tDCS groups.
- Patients in the active tDCS group showed significant improvements in MMSE scores, immediate memory, and delayed recall at the one-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Home-based tDCS demonstrated positive effects on cognitive function in AD patients.
- These findings suggest tDCS may induce long-term neuroplastic changes, leading to sustained cognitive improvements in Alzheimer's disease.
