Abstract
Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that induces electric fields in neuronal tissue, modulating cortical excitability. Therapeutic applications of tDCS are rapidly expanding, and are being investigated in pediatrics for various clinical conditions. Anatomical variations are among a host of factors that influence the effects of tDCS, and pronounced anatomical differences between children and adults suggest that induced electric fields may be substantially different across development. The aim of this study was to determine the strength and distribution of tDCS-induced electric fields across development. Typically developing children, adolescents, and adults were recruited. Individualized finite-element method modeling of primary motor cortex (M1) targeting tDCS was performed. In the largest pediatric sample to date, we found significantly higher peak and mean M1 electric field strength, and more expansive electric field spread for children compared to adults. Electric fields were often comparable between adolescents and adults. Our results suggest that these differences may be associated with age-related differences in skull and extra-axial space thickness, as well as developmental changes occurring in gray and white matter. Individualized current modeling may be a valuable tool for personalizing effective doses of tDCS in future pediatric clinical trials.
Highlights
Transcranial direct-current stimulation is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation commonly investigated as a neuromodulator in healthy and clinical populations
As an emerging therapeutic tool, Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is increasingly applied in the developing brain (Hameed et al, 2017) even though the mechanistic investigations performed in adults over the past 15 years are virtually absent in pediatric populations
GMvol was significantly different among age groups [F(2,48) = 5.6, p = 0.007], where GMvol was higher in children compared to adults (p = 0.007) with a trend toward differences between children and adolescents (p = 0.07)
Summary
Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation commonly investigated as a neuromodulator in healthy and clinical populations. Through the induction of electric fields, weak direct-current passing through the brain alters cortical excitability. Behavioral changes are evident when modulating cortical excitability. TDCS targeting the motor cortex may enhance motor skill acquisition in healthy subjects (Buch et al, 2017) and facilitate motor rehabilitation in subjects with post-stroke hemiparesis (Hummel et al, 2005; Kirton et al, 2016). As an emerging therapeutic tool, tDCS is increasingly applied in the developing brain (Hameed et al, 2017) even though the mechanistic investigations performed in adults over the past 15 years are virtually absent in pediatric populations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
