Abstract
Background: We assessed the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeted to posterior parietal cortex in patients in minimally conscious state (MCS).
Highlights
All patients tolerated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) well and no severe side-effects related to tDCS were observed
We found a significant difference between responders' rate: a total of 9 (27%) patients showed improvements during the active session, compared to 2 patients during the sham session
Stronger effect on the connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and the thalamus since this region has high connectivity with the striatum [10]. Through this fronto-striatal connection, a stimulation of the prefrontal cortex may reduce the inhibition of the thalamus and reinforce thalamo-cortical connectivity
Summary
Thirty-seven patients in MCS were enrolled int this trial and thirty-three completed the study (mean age 57 ± 11 years; 13 women; interval 6 ± 5 months; 20 post-traumatic). Four patients dropped-out because of medical complication (unrelated to tDCS) or due to a transfer to another facility. All patients tolerated tDCS well and no severe side-effects related to tDCS were observed.
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