Abstract

Low-intensity DC polarization of focal cortical areas is known to alter the function of neurons in animals and humans. We are investigating the properties of this kind of brain stimulation and testing its ability to alter cognitive function in healthy subjects. We have completed a large Phase I, sham-controlled trial of DC polarization of the left prefrontal area in healthy volunteers. Results show safety even at higher intensities than those used in published modern studies and we also found a significant facilitation of word list generation with anodal current relative to sham and cathodal current. Recently acquired pilot data suggest similar effects of anodal current on impaired fluency in patients with frontotemporal dementia. We are now conducting a larger, double-blind trail in frontotemporal dementia, looking at a range of behavioral measures.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01NS002977-07
Application #
7143889
Study Section
(BSU)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code

  Publications

Gilbert, Donald L; Zhang, Jie; Lipps, Tara D et al. (2007) Atomoxetine treatment of ADHD in Tourette syndrome: reduction in motor cortex inhibition correlates with clinical improvement. Clin Neurophysiol 118:1835-41
Huey, Edward D; Probasco, John C; Moll, Jorge et al. (2007) No effect of DC brain polarization on verbal fluency in patients with advanced frontotemporal dementia. Clin Neurophysiol 118:1417-8
Gilbert, Donald L; Wang, Zhewu; Sallee, Floyd R et al. (2006) Dopamine transporter genotype influences the physiological response to medication in ADHD. Brain 129:2038-46
Gilbert, Donald L; Ridel, Keith R; Sallee, Floyd R et al. (2006) Comparison of the inhibitory and excitatory effects of ADHD medications methylphenidate and atomoxetine on motor cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology 31:442-9
Gilbert, Donald L; Sallee, Floyd R; Zhang, Jie et al. (2005) Transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked cortical inhibition: a consistent marker of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder scores in tourette syndrome. Biol Psychiatry 57:1597-600
Leon-Sarmiento, Fidias E; Bara-Jimenez, William; Wassermann, Eric M (2005) Visual deprivation effects on human motor cortex excitability. Neurosci Lett 389:17-20
Garvey, Marjorie A; Barker, Christopher A; Bartko, John J et al. (2005) The ipsilateral silent period in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Clin Neurophysiol 116:1889-96
Iyer, M B; Mattu, U; Grafman, J et al. (2005) Safety and cognitive effect of frontal DC brain polarization in healthy individuals. Neurology 64:872-5
Morales, Oscar G; Henry, Michael E; Nobler, Mitchell S et al. (2005) Electroconvulsive therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in children and adolescents: a review and report of two cases of epilepsia partialis continua. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 14:193-210, viii-ix
Wassermann, Eric M; Grafman, Jordan (2005) Recharging cognition with DC brain polarization. Trends Cogn Sci 9:503-5

Showing the most recent 10 out of 31 publications