TDCS Modulates Inflammatory Markers to Improve Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment and Depression: An Exploratory...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Peripheral inflammatory markers are linked to cognitive impairment and depression post-ischemic stroke.
• Cognitive deficits after stroke significantly impede rehabilitation and reduce quality of life.
• The efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in modulating inflammatory markers and improving clinical outcomes in stroke patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of tDCS on cognitive function and depression in stroke survivors.
• To determine if changes in specific inflammatory markers mediate the effects of tDCS on cognitive and depressive symptoms.
• To explore the potential of tDCS as an anti-inflammatory neurorehabilitation strategy.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 60 stroke patients, allocated to either active tDCS or sham stimulation for 4 weeks alongside standard rehabilitation.
• Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA.
• Cognitive function and depression were evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), respectively.

Main Results:

• The active tDCS group showed significant reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels, unlike the sham group.
• Patients receiving active tDCS demonstrated significantly greater improvements in MoCA and HAMD scores compared to the control group.
• Changes in IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significant predictors of cognitive improvement (MoCA scores), while IL-6 and disease duration predicted depression improvement (HAMD scores).

Conclusions:

• tDCS, when combined with conventional rehabilitation, effectively reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) post-stroke.
• This anti-inflammatory effect correlates with significant improvements in cognitive function and depressive symptoms.
• tDCS shows promise as an adjunctive therapy for neurorehabilitation, targeting both clinical symptoms and underlying inflammatory processes in stroke recovery.