Direction of TDCS current flow in human sensorimotor cortex influences behavioural learning.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent studies have shown that neurophysiological outcomes of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) are influenced by current flow in brain regions between the electrodes, and in particular the orientation of current flow relative to the cortical surface.

Objective

We asked whether the directional effects of TDCS on physiological measures in the motor system would also be observed on motor behaviours.

Methods

We applied TDCS during the practice of a ballistic movement task to test whether it affected learning or the retention of learning 48 h later. TDCS electrodes were oriented perpendicular to the central sulcus and two current orientations were used (posterior-anterior, TDCS_PA; and anterior-posterior, TDCS_AP). Transcranial

SUBMITTER: Hannah R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6491497 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May - Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature