biostudies-literatureUnknown7Monai HTranscranical direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a treatment known to ameliorate various neurological conditions and enhance memory and cognition in humans. tDCS has gained traction for its potential therapeutic value; however, little is known about its mechanism of action. Using a transgenic mouse expressing G-CaMP7 in astrocytes and a subpopulation of excitatory neurons, we find that tDCS induces large-amplitude astrocytic Ca(2+) surges across the entire cortex with no obvious changes in the local field potential. Moreover, sensory evoked cortical responses are enhanced after tDCS. These enhancements are dependent on the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor and are not observed in IP3R2 (inositol trisphosphate receptor type 2) knockout mice, in which astrocytic Ca(2+) surges are absent. TogetheNature communications11100https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4804173biostudies-literatureCalcium imaging reveals glial involvement in transcranial direct current stimulation-induced plasticity in mouse brain.PMC4804173Hirai HHirase HKonno AIwai YNakai JMonai HOe YItohara SOhkura MTanaka MMikoshiba KfalseCalcium imaging reveals glial involvement in transcranial direct current stimulation-induced plasticity in mouse brain.Transcranical direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a treatment known to ameliorate various neurological conditions and enhance memory and cognition in humans. tDCS has gained traction for its potential therapeutic value; however, little is known about its mechanism of action. Using a transgenic mouse expressing G-CaMP7 in astrocytes and a subpopulation of excitatory neurons, we find that tDCS induces large-amplitude astrocytic Ca(2+) surges across the entire cortex with no obvious changes in the local field potential. Moreover, sensory evoked cortical responses are enhanced after tDCS. These enhancements are dependent on the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor and are not observed in IP3R2 (inositol trisphosphate receptor type 2) knockout mice, in which astrocytic Ca(2+) surges are absent. Togethe2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Mar2025-04-04T11:41:33.092Z2019-03-27T03:10:07ZS-EPMC48041732700052310.1038/ncomms11100