P 203. A historical development of transcranial electrical stimulation: Dose development from 1900 to contemporary approaches

Abstract

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES) encompasses all forms of non-invasive current application to the brain in regards to research and clinical applications. Approaches to TES have evolved in both terminology and dosage over the past 100 years of research. We outline the dose and historical development of TES since 1900 through modern approaches. Contemporary transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) approaches such as Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) and NeuroElectric Therapy (NET) descended from Electrosleep (ES) while others like Transcutaneous Cranial Electrical Stimulation (TCES), and Limoge, descended from Electroanesthesia (EA). Contemporary approaches such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) have historical analogues. We consider the role of seminal conferences and medical device regulations in the evolution of techniques and terminology. Select commercial devices and brands are noted for context. We clarify and disambiguate TES terminology including varied conventions across countries, and non-TES techniques. Understanding the roots of contemporary TES approaches in comparable approaches spanning decades, as well as the resurgence and abandonment of past techniques, may inform ongoing TES research.