Title:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trial
Volume: 14
Issue: 4
Author(s): Miguel Mayo-Yáñez*, Tania Corrás and Rebeca Méndez-Iglesias
Affiliation:
- Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruna (CHUAC), 15006, A Coruna, Galicia,Spain
Keywords:
Alzheimer disease, transcranial direct current stimulation, dementia, clinical trial, neurodegenerative, frontal cortex.
Abstract: Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative pathology manifested by
cognitive impairment and behavioral derangement. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
as non-invasive and safe neuromodulation technique has shown promising effects in different
neuropsychiatric disorders. Similarly, tDCS has recently shown potential therapeutic outcomes in AD.
The present study aims to systematically review the therapeutic efficacy of tDCS in patients with AD.
Method: The databases of PubMed (1970-2017), Web of Sciences (1970-2017), and Google
Scholar (1980-2017) were searched using the set terms "tDCS" OR "transcranial direct current
stimulation" AND "Alzheimer’s disease" OR "AD" AND "treatment". The search engine Trip
Database was used and the date of last search was August 30, 2017. The retrieved records were
reviewed Independently by two authors.
Results: Seven studies were obtained with a total of 185 patients who met the inclusion criteria.
Evaluating the results, 4 studies supported the possible efficacy of the therapy versus 3 that did not
find statistically significant differences compared with the placebo groups. Anodal tDCS over frontal
cortex, particularly left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporal cortex, showed therapeutic efficacy
in AD.
Conclusion: Further studies are needed to determine effective protocols and clinical efficacy
of tDCS for AD treatment. However, the current evidence from clinical trials encourages further
research to investigate anodal tDCS as an adjuvant treatment for patients with AD.
