Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

This advanced technique uses mild electrical currents to modulate neural activity, either stimulating or inhibiting brain functions without triggering nerve firing (action potentials).

tDCS provides a gentler approach to modifying brain activity, unlike Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which induces action potentials through magnetic pulses, or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), which has 1000x more electric current.

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We utilize qEEG brain imaging to guide tDCS, ensuring precise targeting to support mental wellness and cognitive health.

Research indicates that tDCS is one of the gentlest and safest form of electrical stimulation currently available. In research with over 10,000 participants, there were no serious side-effects [1]. The device is easy to use and the instructions are simple. The European Union has approved tDCS for treating Major Depressive Disorder and Chronic Pain [2][3]. Due to its positive safety profile, the European Union has even approved transcranial stimulation for home use. See PDF below to learn more about safety.

The US Military (DARPA) discovered tDCS can improve focus and double learning speeds. Academic researchers have replicated these studies with similar results; doubling learning speeds in students. Vast evidence supports the notion that tDCS can accelerate learning speeds and enhance cognitive performance in a range of complex cognitive tasks.
 

Furthermore, tDCS has been approved for depression in the European Union. The FDA recently cleared clinical trials of tDCS in the treatment for depression. The promising research and safety profile have some academic centers and clinics starting to use transcranial stimulation, including Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and Mount Sinai Hospital.

The tACS device has been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia in the US since 1990. The Fisher Wallace Stimulator has been regulated for use longer than any other wearable neurostimulation device on the market. There have been no reported serious side effects during this period.

There are several different types of transcranial stimulation, with direct current stimulation (tDCS) being the most popular, followed by alternating current (tACS) and random noise stimulation (tRNS). 

A low-intensity direct current (typically 1–2 mA) is delivered through electrodes on the scalp.

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• Modulation of Membrane Potential: Current induces subthreshold changes in neuronal membrane potentials:
  
  • Anodal Stimulation: Increasing excitability.
  • Cathodal Stimulation: Reducing excitability.

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• Plasticity Effects: Promotes long-term potentiation (LTP) or long-term depression (LTD), depending on stimulation polarity and duration. LTP and LTD play a fundamental role in learning and neuroplasticity. 

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• Neuromodulation: Alters spontaneous neuronal firing rates and synaptic efficacy without directly inducing action potentials.

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• Network-Level Effects: Influences connected brain regions, modulating large-scale neural networks.

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• Cumulative Impact: Repeated sessions can produce lasting changes in cortical excitability and connectivity.

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• Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release: tDCS can modulate the release of key neurotransmitters, influencing neural activity:
  
  • Glutamate and GABA: Anodal tDCS increases glutamatergic activity (excitatory), while cathodal tDCS enhances GABAergic activity (inhibitory).

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• Dopaminergic System: tDCS can influence dopamine levels, particularly in regions such as the prefrontal cortex, impacting motivation, mood, and cognitive functions.

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• Serotonin: Evidence suggests tDCS may affect serotoninergic pathways, contributing to mood regulation and anti-depressive effects.

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• Neuromodulation via Astrocytes: tDCS indirectly modulates neurotransmitter dynamics by affecting astrocytes, which play a role in maintaining synaptic homeostasis.

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These neurotransmitter effects, combined with the changes in cortical excitability, contribute to tDCS's impact on mood, cognition, and neurological function.