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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Published on: May 23, 2011
Optimized trans-cranial direct current stimulation for prolonged consciousness disorder in a patient with titanium
Sun Im1, Geun-Young Park1, Tae-Woo Kim2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used for the restoration of awareness in patients with a minimal consciousness state (MCS). Most brains of patients in MCS may structurally and electrophysiologically differ from un-damaged brains. Moreover, tDCS is currently contraindicated for patients with craniotomy or skull with metallic implants.
Case Presentation:
We present a case with prolonged MCS over 1 year, who had severe brain damage, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and cranioplasty with a titanium mesh, which was treated with tDCS which optimized with the simulation of the electric field based on the patient's brain MRI. The patient was resulting in emergence from MCS. Six months later, she ate meals orally and started walking with assistance.
Discussion And Perspective:
This personalized simulation based on MRI would make the treatment available even to patients with severe brain structural changes and metallic instrumentation.
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