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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Preparation of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Electrodes for Chronic Implantation in Rats
09:39

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tDCS peripheral nerve stimulation can enhance passive avoidance learning in rats.

Luuk van Boekholdt1, Silke Kerstens1, Kaydee Decloedt1

  • 1KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.

Frontiers in Neuroscience
|October 6, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) did not improve passive avoidance task learning in rats at 0.25 mA. However, peripheral nerve stimulation at 2 mA enhanced learning, suggesting this may explain some tDCS effects.

Keywords:
passive avoidance taskperipheral nerverattDCStranscranialtranscranial direct current stimulationtranscutaneous

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows promise for psychiatric and neurological disorders.
  • Rodent models demonstrate tDCS benefits in memory and learning.
  • Peripheral nerve stimulation may contribute to tDCS effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Replicate tDCS effects on passive avoidance task (PAT) learning in rats.
  • Investigate the role of peripheral nerve stimulation in tDCS effects.
  • Explore transcutaneous-only tDCS effects at a human-relevant amplitude.

Main Methods:

  • Rats underwent sham, transcranial-only, transcutaneous-only, or standard tDCS.
  • Stimulation was delivered at 0.25 mA for initial replication and 2 mA for peripheral nerve stimulation investigation.
  • Passive avoidance task (PAT) learning was assessed.

Main Results:

  • No significant improvement in PAT learning was observed at 0.25 mA across all tDCS conditions.
  • Transcutaneous-only tDCS (peripheral nerve stimulation) at 2 mA significantly improved PAT learning.
  • This suggests peripheral nerve stimulation modulates learning and memory.

Conclusions:

  • tDCS at 0.25 mA did not replicate previous findings for PAT learning in rats.
  • Peripheral nerve stimulation at 2 mA effectively enhances PAT learning.
  • Peripheral nerve stimulation may be a key mechanism underlying some tDCS effects, warranting further investigation.