Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Mice

J Vis Exp. 2018 Sep 23:(139):58517. doi: 10.3791/58517.

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique proposed as an alternative or complementary treatment for several neuropsychiatric diseases. The biological effects of tDCS are not fully understood, which is in part explained due to the difficulty in obtaining human brain tissue. This protocol describes a tDCS mouse model that uses a chronically implanted electrode allowing the study of the long-lasting biological effects of tDCS. In this experimental model, tDCS changes the cortical gene expression and offers a prominent contribution to the understanding of the rationale for its therapeutic use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Electrodes, Implanted*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / methods*