Recharging cognition with DC brain polarization

Electrical direct current (DC) has been applied to the human head throughout history for various reasons and with claims of behavioral effects and clinical benefits. This technique has recently been rediscovered and its effects validated with modern quantitative techniques and experimental designs....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in cognitive sciences 2005-11, Vol.9 (11), p.503-505
Main Authors: Wassermann, Eric M., Grafman, Jordan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomical correlates of behavior
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Cerebral Cortex - physiology
Cognition - physiology
Electric Stimulation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Perception - physiology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Electrical direct current (DC) has been applied to the human head throughout history for various reasons and with claims of behavioral effects and clinical benefits. This technique has recently been rediscovered and its effects validated with modern quantitative techniques and experimental designs. Despite the very weak current used, DC polarization applied to specific brain areas can alter verbal fluency, motor learning and perceptual thresholds, and can be used in conjunction with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Compact and safe, this old technique seems poised to allow major advances cognitive science and therapy.
ISSN:1364-6613
1879-307X
DOI:10.1016/j.tics.2005.09.001