Abstract
Background: Non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation has been shown to modulate cortical excitability in various studies. Similarly, recent preliminary studies suggest that transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) may engender a modulation effect on spinal and cortical neurons. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dose-response effects of tsDCS in healthy subjects and thereby lay groundwork for expanding treatment options for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Nine healthy subjects received each of the following 2 tsDCS conditions: Anodal and cathodal, in random order with at least 1 week washout period between each session. In order to test safety and dose response, various current intensities were used (2, 2.5 and 3 mA) for 20 minutes. The active electrode was placed vertically over T10-T11, and the reference electrode was placed over the left shoulder. To evaluate corticospinal excitability, motor evoked potentials over soleus muscle elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were measured. To assess spinal cord excitability, H- and M- wave over soleus muscle to calculate H max / M max ratio were measured. Results: Linear regression showed a dose response with cathodal tsDCS on motor evoked potentials measured from the left leg as well as with anodal tsDCS on H max / M max ratio measured from the left leg. Conclusions: These findings indicate tsDCS effects are dose-dependent. These effects should be investigated in a larger sample.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 369-376 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | NeuroRehabilitation |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant UL 1TR000117, and the Cardinal Hill Stroke and Spinal Cord Endowment (1215375670).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Neuromodulation
- neurorehabilitation
- spinal cord
- transvertebral spinal direct current stimulation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation
- Clinical Neurology