Brain Stimul
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Previous studies have claimed that weak transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) induces persisting activity changes in the human motor cortex and working memory, but to date no studies have evaluated the effects of tDCS on declarative memory. ⋯ The results indicated that active stimulation of the left DLPFC leads to an enhancement or impairment of verbal memorization depending on the polarity of the stimulation. Furthermore, this effect was specific to the site of stimulation.
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Comparative Study
Differences in the experience of active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation.
A limited number of studies have shown that modulation of cortical excitability using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is safe and tolerable. Few have directly evaluated whether sham and active stimulation are indistinguishable. ⋯ TDCS is a safe well-tolerated technique with no evidence of risk for serious adverse effects. Sensory side effects are common, but the severity is typically low. Because sensory side effects are more frequent and more severe in active compared with sham tDCS, the current method of sham stimulation may not be an adequate control condition for some studies.
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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is able to modify cortical excitability and activity in humans. ⋯ Cathodal tDCS of the primary sensory cortex significantly reduced the sensitivity to Aδ-fiber-mediated cold sensation, C-fiber-mediated warm sensation was reduced only compared with baseline, whereas Aß-fiber-mediated somatosensory inputs were less affected. Our results correspond with our previous observations of primary motor cortex tDCS effects on QST parameters.
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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of motor and prefrontal cortex has been shown to modulate pain perception. Even though evidence suggests an involvement of cerebellar structures in pain processing, the effect of rTMS over the cerebellum on pain perception has not yet been investigated. ⋯ Our findings suggest that changes in sensory perception after rTMS over the cerebellum are largely due to stimulation effects on peripheral structures and support recent reports of analgesic effects of neck rMS. They advocate the critical review of the proposed analgesic effects of rTMS and encourage the future use of proper control conditions in rTMS research.