Using transcranial direct current stimulation to treat symptoms in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease

Written by Celina S Liu, Allison Rau, Krista L Lanctôt & Nathan Herrmann

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently been investigated as a potential nonpharmacological treatment for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). A comprehensive literature search was performed on tDCS studies published until March 2017 using MEDLINE, Embase and PsychINFO databases. 12 articles with a total of 202 MCI or AD participants were included. Although ten of the 12 studies demonstrated positive findings with tDCS, two studies reported no effect on cognition. There was a wide range of methodological approaches used and in the cognitive functions measured. The variability in treatment response may be related to the...

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