Montages for tCS

In this page we provide some examples of montages used in the literature for several applications, and we provide related multichannel solutions using StarStim (8 Channel stimulation). Readers are encouraged to search the literature for other options (but see the References for our White Papers on these subjects).

To learn more, please read our review on tCS models and technologies<ref>Giulio Ruffini, Fabrice Wendling, Isabelle Merlet, Behnam Molaee-Ardekani, Abeye Mekonnen, Ricardo Salvador, Aureli Soria-Frisch, Carles Grau, Stephen Dunne, and Pedro C. Miranda, Transcranial Current Brain Stimulation (tCS): Models and Technologies, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING, VOL. 21, NO. 3, MAY 2013 </ref> and see our section on StimWeaver.

We recall here the logic regarding anodal versus cathodal stimulation. Anodal stimulation over an area produces electric fields directed generally inward into the brain in the subjacent cortex. The direction of the electric field with respect to the orientation of the neuron is a significant parameter in the alteration of the trans-membrane potential, especially of elongated neurons such as pyramidal cells. For this reason we may loosely say that anodal stimulation is excitatory, since long cortical neurons are generally aligned perpendicular to the cortical surface, etc. The opposite applies to cathodal stimulation. However, these are approximate statements. The geometry of the cortical surface is complex, as are the generated electric fields. For this reason, biophysical modeling of electric fields an their interactions with neurons is an important tool to carefully define montages. If interested in the topic, see this paper on biophysical modeling and this one on the electric field generated by focal tDCS.

Using a multichannel setup offers more focality and versatility versus the classical bipolar montages using sponge electrodes. If interested, contact us for our StimWeaver service: we can produce the best multichannel tCS (MtCS) montage for your targeting problem.

Stroke

Please see our recent White Paper on tCS in Stroke<ref > G. Ruffini, tDCS clinical research -  highlights: Stroke, NE White Paper NEWP201302, 2013 </ref>.

A stroke that affects the cerebral cortex may have a wide range of effects depending on the location of the lesion. The clinical strategies for treating stroke typically involve stabilization of the patient, preservation of function in the brain area and adaptation of the patient to diminished function. There are some hints that electrical stimulation of the brain may in itself promote recovery or preservation of brain tissue <ref> Kanzaki S, Stöver T, Kawamoto K, Prieskorn DM, Altschuler RA, Miller JM, Raphael Y., | Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and chronic electrical stimulation prevent VIII cranial nerve degeneration following denervation, J Comp Neurol. 2002 Dec 16;454(3):350-60. </ref>, although to date a relatively small number of published studies have focused on improving specific functions through the use of single or repeated sessions of anodal stimulation.

The main motivation behind the use of non-invasive brain stimulation for stroke recovery is to support relearning of compromised abilities by enhancement of pathologically-reduced cortical excitability and activity, directly by excitability-enhancing brain stimulation of the lesioned area, or indirectly, by reducing excitability of the non-lesioned contralateral hemisphere – since this has inhibitory connections with the lesioned one <ref> Wittenberg GF, Schaechter JD., | The neural basis of constraint-induced movement therapy , Curr Opin Neurol. 2009 Dec;22(6):582-8. </ref>. Specifically, the respective excitability enhancements are thought to promote relearning of functions by enhancing learning-related long-term potentiation (LTP) (which is the likely physiological basis of learning and memory formation <ref> Rioult-Pedotti MS, Friedman D, Donoghue JP., | Learning-induced LTP in neocortex., Science. 2000 Oct 20;290(5491):533-6 </ref>. ) and via this mechanism promote recovery.

A typical montage using large, traditional sponges will result in large affected areas by the stimulation. It would look like this (the figure on the left displays the normal component of the electric field, the one on the right the target):

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An alternative is to put the "reference" electrode over the "contralateral supraorbital region". Again, we see large effects over widespread areas of the cortex:

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A more modern version, using StarStim and targeting only the left hemisphere (i.e., trying to avoid stimulating other sites) may look like this:

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Pain

For a NEs White Paper on a literature review related to tCS in Pain, please see our recent White Paper <ref > G. Ruffini, tDCS clinical research -  highlights: Pain, NE White Paper NEWP201301, 2013 </ref>.

Typical montages for Pain focus on the primary motor cortex. A montage for central pain from an interesting study<ref> Study: F. Fregni, P. S. Boggio, M. C. Lima, M. J. Ferreira, T. Wagner, S. P. Rigonatti, A. W. Castro, D. R. Souza, M. Riberto, S. D. Freedman, M. A. Nitsche, and A. Pascual-Leone. 2006. | A sham-controlled, phase II trial of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of central pain in traumatic spinal cord injury. Pain 122 (1-2):197-209. </ref> is as follows. The target was the motor cortex, and it relied on the use of large sponge electrodes. The "nuissance" electrode was place on the contralateral orbit. Here we provide a visualization of these montages using StimViewer.

In this study the authors found that there was a significant pain improvement after active anodal stimulation of the motor cortex, but not after sham stimulation. These results were not confounded by depression or anxiety changes. Furthermore, cognitive performance was not significantly changed throughout the trial in both treatment groups. The results of our study suggest that this new approach of cortical stimulation can be effective to control pain in patients with spinal cord lesion.

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As was the case in Stroke, the use of small electrodes could provide much more focal, controlled stimulation. Here is the 8 ch motor cortex target example (the figure on the left displays the normal component of the electric field, the one on the right the target):

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Depression

Please see our recent White paper for more information on tDCS and the treatment of depression<ref > G. Ruffini, tDCS clinical research -  highlights: Depression, NE White Paper NEWP201303, 2013 </ref>.

The typical target for treatment is anodal on the left DLPFC (F3) with the cathode over the contralateral orbit or, sometimes, over the right DLPFC.

This is a typical montage: F3 anode vs contralateral orbit using 25 cm2 sponge electrodes. We show also the target, highlighted as left |BA46 (the figure on the left displays the normal component of the electric field, the one on the right the target):

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This is another typical montage using sponge electrodes: F3 anode vs F4 orbit. We show also the target, highlighted as left |BA46:

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This is a montage using 8 Pi electrodes with StarStim. We show also the target, highlighted as left |BA46. Note the improved focality w.r.t. the target (the figure on the left displays the normal component of the electric field, the one on the right the target):

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Tinnitus

Bifrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), with the anodal electrode overlying the right and the cathodal electrode overlying the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, has been shown to suppress tinnitus <ref> Vanneste S, De Ridder D.,

Bifrontal transcranial direct current stimulation modulates tinnitus intensity and tinnitus-distress-related brain activity.. Eur J Neurosci. 2011 Aug;34(4):605-14. 

</ref> <ref> De Ridder D, Vanneste S.

EEG Driven tDCS Versus Bifrontal tDCS for Tinnitus.. Front Psychiatry. 2012 Sep 25;3:84. 

</ref> <ref> De Ridder D, Vanneste S.

Bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex modulation for tinnitus by transcranial direct current stimulation: a preliminary clinical study. Exp Brain Res. 2010 May;202(4):779-85. 

</ref> . Such montages - but with the opposite polarity - have also been used for Depression.

[TBC]

Epilepsy

In general terms anodal tDCS stimulation increases excitability of the cerebral cortex, while cathodal stimulation decreases excitability. Pharmacological therapeutics of epilepsy searches a decrease of excitability to reduce paroxysmal brain cortex activity. From this point of view, the use of multi-electrode montages is particularly appealing, as it allows for controlled stimulation over a particular area with little effects on others.

E.g., using StarStim and targeting only the left motor hemisphere (8 Channels) (i.e., trying to avoid stimulating other sites) may look like this:

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and another target problem on the left hemisphere, using 27 Channels, like this (E field on left, target on the right):

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Both of these have been produced using the StimWeaver engine.

A study in freely moving rats in a focal epilepsy model showed that cathodal but not anodal tDCS brain stimulation produced a reduction of cortical excitability that could outlasted the actual stimulation in a dependent current strength and duration of stimulation <ref> Liebetanz D, Klinker F, Hering D, Koch R, Nitsche MA, Potschka H, Löscher W, Paulus W, Tergau F.,

EAnticonvulsant effects of transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) in the rat cortical ramp model of focal epilepsy.. Epilepsia. 2006 Jul;47(7):1216-24.

</ref>.

Two clinical trials, | one already finished (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-NINDS) and the other in | course (Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital) explored the clinical efficacy of the tDSC in human epilepsy. The NINDS protocol study “the effects of repeated applications of tDCS on the excitability of the seizure focus in patients with poorly controlled pharmacologically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy”. The Spaulding study investigated “the feasibility of a closed-loop electroencephalography (EEG) / transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) system for treatment of epilepsy. They are looking to see the feasibility of triggering tDCS stimulation within 10 seconds of a detected EEG partial-onset seizure, and also a proof-of-principle determination of whether tDCS applied during this vulnerable period may be feasible to prevent the oncoming seizure”.

Related to use of tDCS in children with epilepsy, a pilot communication <ref> Liebetanz D, Klinker F, Hering D, Koch R, Nitsche MA, Potschka H, Löscher W, Paulus W, Tergau F.,

Transcranial direct current stimulation for treatment-refractory epilepsy in children: a pilot study. Clinical Neurophysiology, Volume 122, Supplement 1 , Page S2, June 2011.

</ref> reported that cathodal stimulation over the epileptic focus produce a >50 % reduction in seizure frequency in 30 % -assessed with a seizure diary- of 71 pediatric patients with focal or generalized treatment- refractory epilepsy. These reported basic concepts and preliminary results support a potential role for cathodal brain stimulation in the therapeutics of the epilepsy. However this field is just in its first exploratory steps.

Migraine

[TBC]

Addictive disorders

[TBC]

References

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